EAST London K-9 police officer Kilian Steyn has been crowned police star of the year.
Steyn broke down and cried when Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Cynthia Binta called out his name and declared him the overall winner in the province.
Steyn was recognised for the effort he made when he shot dead an armed robbery suspect on April 7 near Leaches Bay just outside East London.
The man had robbed the Engen garage in Beacon Bay and when he fled, Steyn chased after him and caught up with him near Leaches Bay. The man opened fire at Steyn and bullets hit him below the heart and left forearm.
Steyn returned fire while running for cover. The man began shooting randomly at people in the street where children were playing. The officer, realising the man could easily kill innocent people, came out from cover and exchanged gunshots with the man until he shot him dead.
Steyn’s wife, Lee-Ann, was at work at an East London law firm when she received a call that her husband was wounded. “I could not believe it until I saw him in theatre at the Life St Dominic’s hospital. He was in so much pain,” she said. It took Steyn five months to recover from the bullet wounds and report back to work.
“The past months have not been easy – I had to wake up earlier than usual to clean the wounds, get the kids ready for school and make sure he had everything he needed while I was at work,” she said. “The gunshot has left his left arm slightly disabled – he cannot do simple things like clapping and can no longer fully participate on his morning runs,” Lee-Ann said.
“He really loves his job – he puts everything he has into it. It was quite an honour to watch him receive the award,” she added.
During his acceptance speech, Steyn thanked God for giving him strength, and police management for their faith in him.
The officer walked away with a R10000 cash prize and is now back at work, doing what he loves best.
lSee page two for another police star report and picture — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Tears flow as EL officer is crowned police star of year
Steyn broke down and cried when Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Cynthia Binta called out his name and declared him the overall winner in the province.
Steyn was recognised for the effort he made when he shot dead an armed robbery suspect on April 7 near Leaches Bay just outside East London.
The man had robbed the Engen garage in Beacon Bay and when he fled, Steyn chased after him and caught up with him near Leaches Bay. The man opened fire at Steyn and bullets hit him below the heart and left forearm.
Steyn returned fire while running for cover. The man began shooting randomly at people in the street where children were playing. The officer, realising the man could easily kill innocent people, came out from cover and exchanged gunshots with the man until he shot him dead.
Steyn’s wife, Lee-Ann, was at work at an East London law firm when she received a call that her husband was wounded. “I could not believe it until I saw him in theatre at the Life St Dominic’s hospital. He was in so much pain,” she said. It took Steyn five months to recover from the bullet wounds and report back to work.
“The past months have not been easy – I had to wake up earlier than usual to clean the wounds, get the kids ready for school and make sure he had everything he needed while I was at work,” she said. “The gunshot has left his left arm slightly disabled – he cannot do simple things like clapping and can no longer fully participate on his morning runs,” Lee-Ann said.
“He really loves his job – he puts everything he has into it. It was quite an honour to watch him receive the award,” she added.
During his acceptance speech, Steyn thanked God for giving him strength, and police management for their faith in him.
The officer walked away with a R10000 cash prize and is now back at work, doing what he loves best.
lSee page two for another police star report and picture — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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