Before the funeral of Jonathan Savel, the Special Forces officer (36) from Liège who was shot dead during a house search in Lodelinsart (Charleroi) earlier this week, more than 2,000 colleagues formed a guard of honour of over 750 meters for the ceremony.
The funeral was held in the Saint-Martin Church Basècles near Charleroi, and some 2,000 fellow police officers took to the streets to form a guard of honour. His coffin was brought to the site of the ceremony behind a special forces vehicle.
Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder (PS), Minister of Justice Paul Van Tigchelt (Open VLD), Walloon Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo (PS) and a representative of the royal palace were also present, as were thousands of others who came to pay their respects.
Funeral service for Jonathan Savel, who was killed during a police operation in Charleroi on Monday. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
Funeral service for Jonathan Savel, who was killed during a police operation in Charleroi on Monday. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
"Jonathan was one of the best members of the Special Forces (DSU). He was a strong team player," the DSU director said in a speech. "He always gave priority to the group, and was always energetic. His brothers-in-arms were his second family."
The director added that Savel had always successfully carried out his missions in a careful and controlled manner, protecting the physical integrity of third parties as well as his colleagues. "He was aware of the dangers. He has made an important contribution to the fight against organised crime and terrorism. He fought a real battle for the safety of all of us."
Verlinden gave Savel the civil cross of the first class. After the ceremony, the funeral itself took place in a small circle.
Funeral service for Jonathan Savel, who was killed druing a police operation in Charleroi on Monday. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
Credit: Belga
On Monday morning, Savel was killed after a suspect opened fire during a house search – as part of a wider investigation into a criminal organisation dealing in arms, drugs and stolen vehicles – that became a shoot-out on Rue de l'Étang in Lodelinsart. Two other officers were injured.
"The operation carried out last Monday in Lodelinsart by the special units had a dramatic outcome and deeply affected the families involved, colleagues and, more generally, the entire integrated police force,” the Federal Police said in a press release on Saturday.
They added that "there has been a lot of speculation about the circumstances and course of the operation in the past week. Various speculations were also widely adopted in the press. We regret that this may not have made the grieving process easier for family, friends and colleagues."
Funeral service for Jonathan Savel, who was killed during a police operation in Charleroi on Monday. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
Funeral service for Jonathan Savel, who was killed during a police operation in Charleroi on Monday. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
The Federal Police also emphasised that external and internal investigations are still ongoing. "Debates are likely to continue, in appropriate forums and at the appropriate time, as such a dramatic incident undoubtedly requires analysis and, if necessary, lessons to be learned."
On Saturday, however, the attention of the Federal and Integrated Police is primarily on paying their last tribute to the deceased officer and guiding and supporting his family and other injured and affected colleagues. “We explicitly ask for serenity and respect, so that the Federal Police can do their work properly."
