Police: Officer Commits Suicide Over Books

Afraid for his life after losing some 60 family books during voter registration, a police officer fatally shot himself Monday with an AK-47, police officials said.

Yum Sokhom, 39, the police chief of Kob commune near Poi­pet, fired one bullet into his temple at 7:30 am at his office, according to Vong Bonn, police chief of O’Chrou district in Ban­teay Mean­chey province.

The victim lost 60 family books that were in his custody for the ongoing voter registrations, police said. The family book is one of several documents that can be used to verify a person’s hometown to qualify for voter registration.

The police officer feared that his superior would punish him severely for losing the books, police said.

“His job is easy. There is no prob­lem at all,” said Vong Bonn. “He lost some books. He felt afraid of blame. That’s why he killed himself.”

The dead man had served in the police job for years without any trouble, but recently he took to drinking heavily and had a poor memory, officials said.

“He told his co-workers that he felt very bad for having lost the books,” an official added. Yum Sok­hom then went into his office, locked the door and shot himself immediately, officials said.

Yum Sokhom leaves behind two children and a wife.

 

 

 

 

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