The Israeli Police this week commemorated the 1,696 police officers, Border Police officers, and volunteer helpers who have lost their lives in the line of duty or as a result of their service since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.
The event took place at the memorial site of the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh. Police Commissioner Danny Levy, senior police officers, and relatives of the fallen attended the ceremony.
Special attention was paid this year to the police officers who were deployed during Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and lost their lives in the process. Numerous police officers had confronted the infiltrating terrorists and attempted to protect the residents of the communities under attack.
A moving moment of the ceremony was the lighting of the memorial torch by Eti Alus, the widow of Itamar Alus. Her husband had fought against the terrorists in Ofakim on October 7, 2023, and died in January 2026. By lighting the torch, she paid tribute on behalf of the victims and their families.
Police officer Itamar Alus (right) receives an award from Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana at the Knesset in Jerusalem on April 2, 2025. Alus had fought against Hamas terrorists in Ofakim on October 7, 2023. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
Relatives of police officers who fell during the fighting on October 7 also had the opportunity to speak at the event. Their personal memories made clear that behind the numbers are people and families whose lives were forever changed by the loss of a loved one.
Levy addressed the bereaved directly in his speech. He emphasized that the families of the fallen remain an inseparable part of the Israeli police family. Their place within the organization endures, as does the police force’s commitment to continue accompanying and supporting them in the future.
Photo: Israel Police
The annual memorial event commemorates not only the victims of terrorist attacks and armed conflicts, but all members of the Israeli police who have lost their lives in connection with their service since the founding of the state. This includes members of the border police and volunteer helpers.
The ceremony concluded with a joint performance by children of fallen police officers alongside Israeli singer Roni Dalumi. Together they sang the song “Shir Tikva” (“Song of Hope”), making a statement of remembrance and hope for the future.
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates
