Here's to French police officer Ahmed Merabet, who was called to the scene while on patrol with a female colleague in the neighbourhood, just in time to see the black Citroën used by the two killers heading towards the boulevard from Charlie Hebdo. “He was on foot, and came nose to nose with the terrorists. He pulled out his weapon. It was his job, it was his duty.” Merabet had been a policeman for eight years and had just qualified to become a detective. Rocco Contento, who as Paris regional secretary of the union knew Merabet personally, spent time with him at a course at the end of the year. He described him as quiet and conscientious. His family came originally from Tunisia, he said.
Also to officer Franck Brinsolaro, who was killed in the assault on Charlie Hebdo where he was responsible for the protection of its editor, Stéphane Charbonnier, one of the 11 killed in the building. A colleague said he “never had time” to pull his weapon. He was married with two children.
Lastly, to 25-year-old police officer, Clarissa Jean-Philippe, was killed in an attack in the south Paris suburb of Montrouge. The 27-year-old, originally from Martinique, had only recently graduated and been in the job for just two weeks when she was killed. According to Paris Match magazine, Ms Jean-Philippe had always 'dreamed of serving her country.' Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, paid tribute to her as "a credit to the nation."
Brinsolaro's brother, a fellow policeman, paid tribute to all: "We mustn't forget that what happened yesterday, whatever may happen next - a police officer, whenever it's needed, will put him or herself in harm's way when the security of the country is at stake. And today I want to pay tribute to all of my colleagues, to all those who get up every day to do a difficult job."
God bless them all for their selfless sacrifice, and may they all rest in peace!
Also to officer Franck Brinsolaro, who was killed in the assault on Charlie Hebdo where he was responsible for the protection of its editor, Stéphane Charbonnier, one of the 11 killed in the building. A colleague said he “never had time” to pull his weapon. He was married with two children.
Lastly, to 25-year-old police officer, Clarissa Jean-Philippe, was killed in an attack in the south Paris suburb of Montrouge. The 27-year-old, originally from Martinique, had only recently graduated and been in the job for just two weeks when she was killed. According to Paris Match magazine, Ms Jean-Philippe had always 'dreamed of serving her country.' Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, paid tribute to her as "a credit to the nation."
Brinsolaro's brother, a fellow policeman, paid tribute to all: "We mustn't forget that what happened yesterday, whatever may happen next - a police officer, whenever it's needed, will put him or herself in harm's way when the security of the country is at stake. And today I want to pay tribute to all of my colleagues, to all those who get up every day to do a difficult job."
God bless them all for their selfless sacrifice, and may they all rest in peace!
