During the recent 8.0-magnitude earthquake which struck China's Sichuan Province on May 12, Jiang Min, a policewoman attached to the Supervision Room of Pengzhou Public Security Bureau, lost ten family members, including her mother and her two-year-old daughter. However, in spite of her grief she remained on duty, although she fainted at rescue sites several times.
The Minister of Public Security expressed his condolences to Jiang Min, a stoic policewoman serving in disaster areas. Netizens have labeled her "the strongest policewoman".
On May 22 the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security as well as the Ministry of Public Security announced their decision of honoring Jiang Min as a first rate heroine of the national public security system.
At only 28, her behavior is believed to reflect the strong and indomitable character of the entire Chinese nation.
"Jiang Min is not talkative and even a little shy. I really didn't expect she could be so strong," said Xing Jianwei, head of the Supervision Room. Jiang Min, like other policewomen, was an ordinary person leading an ordinary daily life.
Jiang Min said, "Actually I'm quite timid. When I am alone at home, I don't dare to watch horror films on TV."
However, Jiang Min has experienced the most horrific and unforgettable moments in her life. "When the earthquake struck, I was printing documents in the office. Someone outside shouted 'There is an earthquake!' I rushed downstairs; the whole building was shaking. I even sprained my feet."
"Cries and shouts were heard everywhere. Not far away, I saw six people crushed to death by collapsing walls as they tried to rush out of a building. It was too awful."
May 13 was a black day for Jiang Min. "On that afternoon, I got a call from my uncle and learned that ten of my family members died in the earthquake in Beichuan, including my mother and my daughter. I even couldn't believe it. Just at noon before that day, I had called my darling daughter, my Ruirui…" Jiang Min stopped speaking, overcome by grief. She had too many memories of pain.
"Many people are suffering from grief. My husband is quite strong: he keeps his sorrow deep in his mind and comforts me all the time."
"I don't know how I finally spent these last nightmarish days. I have no tears any more."
"It is my greatest regret that nothing has been discovered about them. I don't even know where they are," Jiang Min sobbed.