Instead of dads: Police commanders accompanied the children of fallen officers on the first day of school
The first day of school is usually a day for photos with a new backpack and great excitement. But for the families of police officers who fell on October 7, this morning also carries the memory of those who were supposed to be there. In the Southern District of the Israel Police, commanders decided to make accompanying these children part of their mission, personally attending school events across the south.
The first day of school is usually a day of photos with a new backpack, a white shirt, and great excitement. But for the families of the police officers who fell on October 7, this morning also carries with it the memory of those who were supposed to be there.
In the Southern District of the Israel Police, they decided this year to make this accompaniment part of their mission. District and regional commanders arrived this morning at schools throughout the south and personally accompanied the children of police officers who fell heroically during the October 7 attack and during their service.
"It is our duty and our privilege to stand by the families"
Southern District Commander, Nitzav Haim Bublil, his deputy Tat-Nitzav Efi Shiman, and regional commanders — Tat-Nitzav Amir Klein, Nitzav-Mishne Shashi Shlomo, Nitzav-Mishne Eliyahu Shmul, and Nitzav-Mishne Alon Kalfon — met with students, parents, and teaching staff, dedicating special attention to the bereaved families.
Among the children accompanied this morning were Ofri Harush, who started first grade, and his sister Lia Rachel Harush, who began second grade at the "Derech Emuna" school. They were accompanied by Nitzav Haim Bublil and Tat-Nitzav Efi Shiman.
Their father, Rasar Eliyahu Michael Harush, of blessed memory, who served at the Sderot station, fell on October 7 in the battle at the city's police station.
"This year carries a special meaning"
The commanders spoke with the children and their family members, making it clear that the Israel Police family does not end at the station gate and will continue to stand by them in the significant moments of their lives.
"The opening of the school year is a significant and exciting event, and this year it carries a special meaning for the Israel Police family," said Nitzav Bublil. "Alongside the operational task of ensuring a safe start to the school year, we are accompanying today with pride the children of the police officers who fell heroically on October 7 and during their service."
"It is our duty and our privilege to stand by the families and accompany them in the significant moments of their lives," he added. "The police officers of the Southern District will continue to act with determination and professionalism for the sake of public safety, in routine and in emergencies."
For Ofri and Lia, as well as for other children throughout the south, the first bell of the school year sounded this morning also as a memory. And where a father is missing to walk with them through the school gate, police commanders walked beside them to remind them that the family their father left behind does not walk alone.
