KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kenneth James Woodworth - the officer involved in ending the reign of terror of the notorious criminal Botak Chin in 1976, passed away this morning.
Woodworth, 89, died at the University Malaysia Medical Centre (UMMC) here.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, his deputy Datuk Razarudin Husain and the entire members of the Royal Malaysia (PDRM) extended their condolences to Woodworth's family on his passing.
"He (Kenneth) was a senior police officer from the Serious Crime Branch at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters when he was selected into the 'Magnificent 12' team to hunt down Botak Chin," read a statement that was shared on the official PDRM Facebook page.
"His death is not only an enormous loss to the force but also to the nation," said the statement.
The statement added that the Malaysian force will always remember the contribution made by Woodworth to the country.
Woodworth's remains will be taken to the Holy Rosary Church here where people can pay their last respects starting 9am on May 23 until 9.30pm the following day,"
Senior Assistant Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal remembered Woodworth as a man of peace.
Nik Ezanee, who is expected to return to fieldwork after serving as the Aide-de-camp (ADC) for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob since Dec 15 last year, said he had the opportunity to personally met Woodworth in 2020.
"At the time, I was still attached with the Petaling Jaya district police. During our initial meeting, we reminisced about his contributions to the force as well as the country. We became close.
"Since then, I have regularly visited him. During one meeting, he told me he missed having tosai for breakfast.
"From then on, my routine when I was in Petaling Jaya, I would drop by the Kayu restaurant in SS2 to 'tapau' (takeaway) tosai for Kenneth," Nik Ezanee told the New Straits Times.
Similar to the rest of the members in the police force, Nik Ezanee could not stop praising Woodworth for his contributions to the nation.
"Although most of his (Kenneth) immediate relatives were abroad, he had remained in Malaysia instead.
"I remember these words: 'Malaysia is my country.' Such words boost my commitment and morale towards my work and the country.
"There is no doubt Kenneth is a true patriot, he is a hero," said Nik Ezanee.
Read More: Ex-cop's close brush with Botak Chin.