Family and friends grappling with death of SB officer
Corporal T. Thivakar.
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PETALING JAYA: The family of corporal T. Thivakar was dealt a huge blow when he was shot dead at Jalan Seremban, Federal Hill.
Thivakar, a member of Bukit Aman’s Special Branch unit, was found dead with two gunshots to his head by a passerby at 4.30pm Tuesday.
Scores of Thivakar’s friends and relatives were present at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre mortuary on Tuesday night where the 37-year-old corporal was sent for a post-mortem.
Thivakar’s father, P. Thangavelu, 67, said he and his wife M. Selama had come all the way from Cemur, Perak to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary with their son and his younger sister.
“We were staying at Thivakar’s house in Taman Kinrara Puchong and were supposed to celebrate our anniversary on Feb 7,” said the ex-policeman, who retired from service in 2002.
He added that the family had had lunch together in Klang at 2pm before Thivakar went off to see a friend.
“That was the last we heard from our son,” said Thangavelu.
The grieving father said that being a policeman had been Thivakar’s childhood ambition.
A childhood friend of Thivakar, who wishes to be known only as James, had travelled all the way from Perak to pay his last respects to the Special Branch officer.
“We grew up together and were like brothers. Thivakar had always been a happy person. I’m still grappling with the reality of his death,” said the sub-contractor.
“Life is so fragile. One day you’re here, next you’re gone,” lamented James.
Meanwhile, an officer from the Special Branch unit, who wishes to remain anonymous, said Thivakar first joined the police force in 1997.
“It was only in recent years that Thivakar was assigned to the Special Branch unit,” said the officer.
Thivakar will be laid to rest near Taman Bayu Perdana, Klang at 8.30am on Friday.
