Police Officer Sacrifices His Life to Save a Woman in a River in China

On August 23, 2024, a tragedy unfolded in Du'an Yao Autonomous County, Guangxi, leaving the public deeply angered. Li Xie, a 39-year-old police officer, sacrificed his life to save a woman who had jumped into the Chengjiang River near Fengyuqiao, in the city of Anyang. Despite his heroic efforts, Officer Li slowly sank to the bottom of the river and lost his life.

Li Xie, a member of the Zhuang ethnic group, served as a second-level sergeant at the Anyang police station and was well known for his dedication to duty. In 2022, he was recognized as an exemplary officer by the Du'an Yao Autonomous County.

The tragedy began around 11:50 p.m. when Officer Li noticed a woman had jumped into the river in an apparent suicide attempt. Without hesitation, he dove in to rescue her, still fully clothed. He managed to push the woman toward the shore, but the strong current and the exhausting struggle to keep her safe eventually drained his strength, leading to his tragic fate.

However, what has caused the most outrage among netizens and witnesses was the woman's behavior during the rescue. According to a video recorded at the scene, the woman, who seemingly knew how to swim, used Officer Li as support to stay afloat, repeatedly pushing him underwater. Even when onlookers threw a rope to save the officer, the woman, in a desperate act, prevented him from reaching it, prioritizing her own survival.

It has been reported that the woman was not a local but was visiting a relative’s home. Despite her apparent suicide attempt, her behavior in the water has been heavily criticized, as she appeared fully aware of her actions and used techniques to stay afloat.

This tragic incident has left a family devastated. Li Xie, the pillar of his household, leaves behind twin children who are just in kindergarten. He is remembered as a hero who, in the line of duty, gave his life to save another, regardless of the consequences.