Song Kok Hoo

Prior to joining the Singapore Police Force, Song worked as a government clerk for fourteen months.^[1] Not keen on continuing a desk-bound career,^[1] he became a probationary police inspector in July 1926.^[2] In 1950, he was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for meritorious service.^[1] In October 1953, he was promoted from Assistant Superintendent to Deputy Superintendent;^[3] he was the first Asian officer in the history of the police force to hold either position.^[4] In December 1959, he became the country's first Asian Deputy Commissioner of Police,^[5] succeeding A. R. Anderson.^[6] He retired from the police force in December 1961,^[7] after 35 years of active duty. In January 1962, he was appointed as the Chief Security Officer of the Maruzen Toyo Oil Company's refinery at Tanjong Belayar.^[8]

Song was the youngest son of writer Song Ong Liew and his wife Gek Cham (née Chan).^[1][9] He graduated from Raffles Institution in 1925.^[10] On 18 June 1932, he married Rosaline Lee at the Singapore Presbyterian Church in Orchard Road. Their wedding reception for 250 guests was hosted at Adelphi Hotel.^[11] The couple had a son and three daughters.^[12] Lee died on 20 November 1968.^[13] Song was also a member of the Chinese Christian Association.^[14] After fully retiring in 1965, Song alternated between Singapore and Australia, spending about equal time in either country.^[1] He died on 12 May 1985, at the age of 79; his funeral was held three days later in Melbourne.^[12]