Sick team leader put duty ahead of cancer treatment

Officer wanted to finish work on crime crackdown

The world of police officer Zhang Yan's family collapsed in August when they were told the sad news he had terminal pancreatic cancer.

Although his doctor wanted to admit him to the hospital immediately to undergo chemotherapy, Zhang delayed the treatment for more than 20 days, according to his colleagues.

With an acute awareness of his mortality, Zhang was worried he might not be able to complete his work as head of the criminal investigation branch of the Qinhuangdao public security bureau in Hebei province. A three-year national campaign against organized crime was due to end in December.