Police officer killed in confrontation with drug addict

In a tragic incident that occurred on August 29, 2024 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, an officer of the Boeung Keng Kang II Administrative Police, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Sao Reaksa, lost his life during a confrontation with a drug addict. The incident took place at around 4:00 p.m. at the corner of 304 Street, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang II, in Khan Boeung Keng Kang district.

The event was captured by nearby security cameras, which show the moment when Officer Sao Reaksa confronts the suspect armed with a baton and a large knife.

Despite the officer aiming his firearm at the attacker, he failed to fire before sustaining a fatal wound to the chest. The drug addict took advantage of the situation to snatch the gun from the fallen officer, making him even more dangerous as he was armed with both a knife and the officer's firearm.

The situation escalated when a second police officer arrived on the scene. Despite efforts to control the suspect, he was unable to fire the stolen weapon before being shot down by the officer. Sadly, both Lt. Col. Sao Reaksa and the suspect were declared dead at the scene when the ambulance arrived.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his condolences to the family of Lt. Col. Sao Reaksa, including Mr. Neou Sambo and Ms. Yang Et, in a letter issued on the same day of the incident. In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted the sacrifice of the officer, who lost his life in the line of duty to suppress violent crimes in Phnom Penh.

"My wife and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Col. Sao Reaksa, a dedicated officer who sacrificed his life to protect the community," Hun Manet said in his condolence letter. "In this time of grief, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family and all members of the National Police."