MALAPPURAM: The Tanur boat disaster has shocked the senses of Kerala. The casualty count has reached 22, mostly including children and women passengers. Among the two men who lost their lives, one was Sabaruddhin, a brilliant police officer at Tanur station. Sabaruddhin was a member of Malappuram SPs special squad.

There is more than one anecdote surrounding Sabruddhin’s heroism in uniform. Once, he was getting ready for a trim inside a barber shop when news came about a scooter being robbed near his station premise. The CCTV was checked and the culprit was seen but not identified because of the face mask. Sabaruddhin jumped from his seat and left the barber shop in a hurry. He even vowed to his colleagues that he won't get a haircut until he catches the culprit.

After eight days time, Sabaruddhin and senior police officer Salesh caught the 15-year-old scooter robber. It was only after this that Sabruddhin went in for a relaxed haircut.