Kind-hearted cop pretends to be elderly couple's late son for over a decade to alleviate mom's pain

Humanity teaches us kindness, compassion, and empathy. Those who step up to support others during their lowest moments are often hailed as heroes. One such hero is Jiang Jingwei, a Chinese police officer who made a heartfelt decision to support a grieving family that lost their son in a tragic accident. For over a decade, Jiang has embraced the role of their late son to help them cope, reports South China Morning Post.

The story of Xia Zhanhai and his wife, Liang Qiaoying, begins with tragedy but ultimately leads to an unexpected bond. The couple’s pre-teen son tragically passed away in a gas leak incident in northern China’s Shanxi province. This accident, which occurred in 2003, profoundly affected Xia and Liang, leaving them to grapple with the trauma for many years afterward.

The accident that claimed their son's life also left Liang paralyzed and cognitively impaired, reducing her mental capacity to that of a five-year-old. According to NI Direct, exposure to carbon monoxide can cause severe health issues, including brain damage and heart problems, even if a person survives. Despite her impaired state, the loss of her son weighed heavily on Liang. To ease her pain, Xia told her a compassionate lie, claiming that their late son was simply working in a distant city.

One day, Xia saw Jiang on TV and was struck by how much he resembled their late son. The father took matters into his own hands and contacted the officer through a mainland reality show in late 2013. Jiang met Xia and Liang on the show, believably playing the role of their son with such compassion that an emotional Liang embraced him with tears in her eyes.

Following that touching meeting, Jiang has remained in touch with the elderly couple over the last eleven years. He reportedly invited the pair to go sightseeing in Shanghai in 2016 and even visited Shanxi to celebrate the Lunar New Year with them in early 2018, reported Shine. The local police department also provides moral support to the couple by keeping in touch with them through video calls.

During a recent conversation, Liang noticed Jiang’s grey hair and immediately complimented him on it. Meanwhile, Xia wrote a letter to the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, thanking them for the consistent support received through their “son.” “Thank you for training such a kind, compassionate and responsible police officer. For over a decade, Jiang has quietly taken on the role of a son, bringing new life to our once grief-stricken family,” SCMP quoted an excerpt from Xia’s exchange with law enforcement. Jiang, who does not call the couple his “mom” and “dad,” also reflected on the entire situation as a rewarding and heartwarming experience. “As a community police officer, I also extend the same care and compassion to the elderly in my community,” he stated.