“I’m sorry”... The first words an officer whose ankle was amputated said to the officer’s wife leave a lump in the throat

[Financial News] A police officer who suffered a serious injury that required the amputation of an ankle while handling the scene of a traffic accident on an expressway reportedly said “I’m sorry” as the first words to the officer’s wife.
In a message titled “To My Colleagues,” posted on the police intranet on the 4th, Acting Korean National Police Agency Chief Kim Jong-chul stressed, “Taking responsibility through to the end for police officers injured while protecting the public is not special consideration; it is a duty the police organization must fulfill.”
At around 8 p.m. the previous day, Acting Chief Kim visited Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to see Inspector A of the Highway Patrol under the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, who was seriously injured after being hit by a truck at an accident scene on the 24th of last month, and to comfort the officer’s family.
At around 4 a.m. on the 24th of last month, Inspector A was hit by a 6.5-ton truck while directing traffic at an accident scene near Yeoju Rest Area on the Incheon-bound lanes of the Yeongdong Expressway in Yeoju City, Gyeonggi Province, and suffered serious injuries, including the amputation of an ankle. Visits had been restricted while the officer received intensive care following emergency surgery, but the officer’s condition has recently stabilized, making hospital visits possible.
Acting Chief Kim recounted that after regaining consciousness, Inspector A’s first words to the officer’s wife were “I’m sorry.” He wrote, “I was truly choked up to hear that someone who needed comfort and care more than anyone else had instead been the first to say they were sorry.”
Kim also said, “Seeing the officer gradually recover was at least a relief,” and expressed his gratitude for the support funds sent by colleagues at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency and its workplace council, among others. He added, “The care and concern we show one another are what sustain the police.”
Acting Chief Kim said the Korean National Police Agency and the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency had activated a dedicated support system to help with treatment, applications for recognition of injuries sustained on duty, and insurance claims. He said they would also arrange support needed for service, including sick leave and leave of absence for duty-related injuries, and provide psychological counseling to the officer’s family and colleagues who worked alongside the officer.
Acting Chief Kim stressed, “There must be an unwavering belief that the organization will protect you even in difficult moments,” and promised, “We will live up to that trust.” He also said the organization would provide appropriate compensation and recognition for the dedication of officers in the field and work with relevant agencies to address any shortcomings.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter