Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov
Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov | |
|---|---|
Нұрмұхамбет Қожахметов | |
| Born | 24 June 1930 Mailan, Ereymentau district |
| Died | 12 February 1962 (aged 31) Akmola, Kazakh SSR |
| Cause of death | Murdered by Mogushkov |
| Years active | 1952–1962 |
| Organization | Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR |
| Known for | One of three rescuers during the Akmola tragedy |
| Partner | Sofia Kozhakhmetova |
| Awards | (1961) |
Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov (kaz. Нұрмұхамбет Қожахметов; 24 June 1930, Ereymentau district, USSR – 12 February 1962, Akmola) was a junior sergeant of the militia and a recipient of the Order of the Red Star.[1][2] One of three policeman who saved lives during the Akmola tragedy in 1959.
Biography
He was born in 1930 in the village of Mailan, Ereymentau District, Akmola Region. From 1952, he served as a militia officer. In 1958, he married a woman named Sofia. During the Akmola tragedy of 14 June 1959, when a bridge collapsed, he saved the lives of dozens of people.[3]
Death
On 12 February 1962, Nurmukhambet left home and was on his way to the Kazakhselmash plant. However, he never reached his destination that day. As he was riding a bus, he heard a man shouting ahead of him:
“People are fighting near the shop! Help!”
Nurmukhambet suddenly jumped off the bus and ran toward the shop. When he arrived, he saw one man beating another. The victim’s pale face was covered in blood. Nurmukhambet immediately recognized the attacker—it was a well-known criminal to the militia named Mukishkev. Shouts were heard: “Don’t come closer! I’ll kill you!”
Nurmukhambet engaged Mukishkev in a fight. Mukishkev was drunk and armed, while Nurmukhambet had nothing. Nevertheless, Nurmukhambet showed great courage and managed to seize Mukishkev. Then another voice came from the crowd: “Hey, let the guy go!” Nurmukhambet realized it was one of Mukishkev’s friends. He recognized him as Almagashev, who had raped and murdered a girl in Karaganda.
Suddenly, a woman screamed: “The militia have arrived!” Nurmukhambet’s colleagues, Konakbayev and Kutzhanov, arrived. Together they put Mukishkev and Almagashev into a vehicle. While Kozhakhmetov and Konakbayev were trying to calm the rioting Mukishkev, Mukishkev pulled out a knife and inflicted six severe wounds on Nurmukhambet. Gathering his last strength, Nurmukhambet shot Mukishkev dead. He himself also died at the scene.
— Kuznetsov Y.
Awards
Order of the Red Star — 21 January 1961
Decree No. 103945
On awarding N. Kozhakhmetov the Order of the Red Star:
For the courage shown in maintaining public order and for exemplary performance of his official duty, I hereby award Junior Sergeant of the Militia Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov with the Order of the Red Star.
— Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, L. Brezhnev; Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, I. Georgadze
Commemoration
One of the streets of the city of Astana bears the name Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov Street.
Filmography
Nurmukhambet Kozhakhmetov has been portrayed in films and TV series by the following actors:
- Investigations of Disasters series, Episode 3: "The Akmola Bridge" (2023; Russian: Расследование катастроф) — portrayed by Daurenbekuly.
- The Feat of Kozhakhmetov (2025) — portrayed by Makhmetov.
References
- ^ "Blue shinels — 21" (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ "KOZHAKHMETOV STREET. Blue shinels". biography.wikireading.ru. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ A., Shaulskiy (1988). Синие шинели [Blue shinels] (in Russian) (1st ed.). pp. 21–22.