St Joseph's Church stabbing: Man who intervened was retired cop, headed Lee Kuan Yew's police security team
Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon was formerly from the Singapore Police Force's Special Operations Command.
Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon (right) receiving the Public Spiritedness Award from DAC Bertran Chia, Deputy Commander Jurong Division, at the Jurong Police Division Headquarters on Nov 10, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
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SINGAPORE: A member of the congregation who intervened during the St Joseph's Church stabbing was a retired officer who headed the Singapore Police Force (SPF) team responsible for the security of Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
In a LinkedIn post, SATS, the current employer of Mr Richard Tan Chai Boon, said that he was formerly from the SPF Special Operations Command.
"He is also well-known as a former officer commanding of the SPF team responsible for security for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew," the post stated.
Mr Tan is now the head of investigations, training and safety at SATS Security Services.
In response to queries from CNA, SPF confirmed that Mr Tan was a police officer and that he retired on May 3, 2018. Mr Tan declined to speak to CNA.
On his LinkedIn profile, Mr Tan described himself as a "veteran criminal investigator" who served 38 years in the police force.
On the website of the Prime Minister's Office, it is stated that Mr Tan had received National Day Awards - the Efficiency Medal in 2006 and the Long Service Medal the following year.
Mr Henry Low, CEO of SATS' Singapore Hub, said: "The shocking knife attack on a Catholic priest in Singapore on (Nov 9) could have had tragic consequences, if not for members of the church congregation who stepped forward to help.
"On behalf of the SATS team, I would like to commend Richard Tan ... for his courage, selfless spirit and professional instinct in mitigating a dangerous situation. Richard has been with SATS for two years. We are proud to have colleagues like Richard as part of the SATS team."
Last Sunday (Nov 10), Mr Tan and Mr Damien Liew Khee Rui were given the SPF's Public Spiritedness Award.
“We saw our priest being attacked. It was very instinctive that we had to go and disarm this person,” Mr Tan told reporters.
Mr Liew said: "I needed to do something to make sure that no one else gets hurt, or (that) nothing bad further happens."
A 37-year-old man was charged on Monday over the incident.
Basnayake Keith Spencer, a Singaporean, was handed a charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapon to Reverend Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng.
Spencer is accused of using a foldable knife to stab Father Lee in the mouth at about 6.30pm at the church at Upper Bukit Timah.
The charge stated that the action caused an 8cm-long cut on Father Lee's tongue, a 3cm cut on his upper lip and a 4cm cut on the corner of his mouth.
The stabbing endangered the life of the priest, the charge stated.
Father Lee, who is the parish priest of the church, underwent surgery to close his wounds and was reported to be in stable condition and recovering in hospital a day after the incident.
The alleged attack took place during communion at the parish's monthly children's mass, where children take on duties that adults usually undertake, such as singing in the choir.
Members of the congregation, including the Archdiocesan Emergency Response team, helped subdue Spencer, who was allegedly wielding a foldable knife.
Four other weapons including a penknife and a mallet were later found on Spencer, who is not a regular at the church.
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