Lin Jian, a police inspector in Dinghai district, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, was recently awarded a national title for his heroic actions by the China Central Television.

Lin was still in the hospital when the award ceremony was held.

On Sept 18, Lin saved an old man's life from a blast site while on assignment and was left with serious burn injuries. To date, he has undergone three skin grafts as nearly 60 percent of his body was affected.

The doctors sutured 20 percent of the skin from his head and chest into his arms, hands and thighs.

"It is my duty to protect citizens from harm. I believe any police officer would have done the same in such a situation. I have been slowly recovering and hope to return to work as soon as possible," said Lin.

Lin was honored with first-class merit for his heroic actions by the Zhejiang Provincial Public Security Department on Oct 8.

Lin has been a police officer for 17 years and has won two personal third-class merits and over 10 honorable titles for his work.