The death of a Bali police officer from yesterday’s tragic incident has sent the officer’s family, members of the police force, and Bali community members into mourning.
North Kuta Police Brigadier Anak Agung Putu Sudiarta (Sudi), 39, is survived by a wife and three children (ages 16, 14, and 10). An Instagram post by his oldest daughter, agonizing over the lost of her father, showing a picture of the two of them together, is absolutely heart-wrenching.
“Hello my father 🙂 Father, don’t think about the problems here,” the caption reads. “My father is going to heaven. Don’t be bad in heaven, be good in heaven.
“I just want to be with you again.”
And of course, the young woman’s pain shines through: “That bule (Westerner) is such shit!”, the caption continues.
“I hope he goes to hell for sending my father to heaven. I just want to hug you. I miss you, father.”
Sudiarta died yesterday, succumbing to critical injuries after he was stabbed eight times by French national Amokrane Sabet. Police had attempted to arrest Sabet in his Berawa home, after learning his visa had expired and because of complaints of the man’s volatile and threatening behavior. But the Frenchman resisted, brandishing a knife. After attacking Sudiarta, a video shows that Sabet was shot repeatedly by police, on the ground, until dead.
The officer’s daughter is not the only one to speak out publicly about her father’s killing. Sudiarta’s younger brother also commented on his sibling’s departure. Sudiarta was apparently the eldest of four.
“We are very sad about this tragedy, the unfortunate departure of Sudi,” Gung Putra told Tribun Bali about his brother’s death.
Putra added that his brother was a committed, compassionate man, who would often help out with work for Banjar Buana Agung, his hometown.
“He was very diligent with working for the banjar, he was very good at socializing and had a lot of friends. The proof can be seen at BaliMed (hospital), many have come to see him,” Putra said.
On the police end of things, Bali Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sugeng Priyanto says the force is making to plans to present Sudiarta with a posthumous award for his service, that would seem to include money for his family.
“Yes, our officer was killed in action, of course he will be given a reward. But that’s still to be discussed,” Priyanto explained. “Because he has sacrificed his body and soul.”
The cremation ceremony for Sudiarta is set to take place on Monday, May 23, and his body will be sent to the funeral home on May 20.
Meanwhile, a crime scene has been reported of in Tibubeneng Village around Jl. Pantai Berawa, where yesterday’s events transpired. Some offerings were observed to have been placed where Sabet was shot, while local residents of Banjar Tegal Gundul told reporters that they were having ngulapin, a traditional Balinese ceremony that is often held at accident sites. This is in the hopes that both Sudiarta and Sabet can rest in peace.
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