In a society where an increasing lack of respect for law enforcement is becoming the norm, a horrific incident has resulted in the tragic loss of a dedicated police officer.
Arina Koltsova, a 35-year-old policewoman from Kyiv, succumbed to tuberculosis, contracted when a belligerent drunk she was apprehending spat in her face. His disdain for authority and female officers, in particular, took a horrific toll when it turned out he was a carrier of the lethal disease.
Koltsova, showing the kind of fortitude we’ve come to expect from our boys and girls in blue, attempted to brush off her worsening symptoms, focusing on serving her community instead. Her health deteriorated rapidly, leading to her collapsing while on duty, which underlines the severity of the consequences that a lack of respect for our law enforcement can have.
The diagnosis was grim – tuberculosis – and though she started treatment immediately, the disease had already advanced too far.
Her partner, Officer Mikhail Kindrakevich, spoke poignantly to the Daily Mail about her journey, “She became ill after New Year’s Day. She had arrested this guy, and he spat in her face. Sometime later, she collapsed.” Koltsova, even in the face of her rapidly deteriorating health, endured aggressive treatment including chemotherapy, IV nutrition, and substantial weight loss.
On July 25, 2016, Officer Koltsova lost her battle with tuberculosis. She left behind a grieving husband and young son, reminding us of the often-overlooked human side of our law enforcement officers. Buried in Kyiv two days after her passing, her loss reverberated through her colleagues and community alike.
Paying tribute to her, Kindrakevich continued, “She was an amazing person, always wanting to help people, always laughing and joking. We are all in shock.”
Her demise is a grim reminder of the perils our police officers face every day, not all of which come in the form of violent crime. A simple act of common courtesy and respect could have averted this tragedy.
Her department’s grief was palpable, as they wrote on social media, “This is an irreplaceable loss for the whole of Kyiv police. Fond memories of Arina will remain in our hearts forever.” Koltsova’s drive to change her country for the better, her conscious choice to join the police force, stands as a testament to her dedication and service.
According to the National Institute of Health, tuberculosis can be treated effectively if detected early, typically requiring six to twelve months of antibiotics. Yet, in this tragic case, it remains uncertain if Koltsova’s case was resistant or simply identified too late for effective treatment.
Following her untimely death, local community members and beyond paid homage to the “irreplaceable” officer. Koltsova was a familiar figure in the Ukrainian capital, admired for her striking appearance and a strong commitment to law and order.
There’s currently uncertainty surrounding the legal consequences for the man responsible for this tragic incident. Still, both local voices in Kyiv and online communities are demanding charges of murder or manslaughter. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the daily risks our police officers take and the gratitude we owe them.
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Source: AWM
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