Shots in the Line of Duty: Chinese Officer Declared As Martyr of the Force After Drinking Himself to Death

According to the government, Chen Lusheng, 38, in Shenzhen, China “died in the line of duty” as a “martyr” according to the government. If you are thinking of a shoot-out with drug dealers or a police chase gone bad, think again. Chen literally drank himself to death at an official dinner.

Chen was renown among officers for his ability to drink and was often called upon to show his ability to drink large quantities of alcohol at functions. His colleagues would cry out “gan bei” and expect him to “drain his glass.”

At this dinner, Chen collapsed on a couch and died after a drinking bout. At the request of his family (which was struggling with his low pension), he was declared a “martyr” of the force and his family given more than the 360,000 yuan (£32,500).

I have been in China at such events where hosts cry out “gan bei” and expect guests to down Chinese alcohol. It is a major bonding experience but a copious amount of alcohol is consumed.

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