ZAGREB, CROATIA - A commemorative service was held in the Police Academy lobby for young police officer Ivan Grbavac who was killed during an armed bank robbery in Zagreb`s Sesvete this week.

Some 500 people gathered, while Croatian President Stjepan Mesic decorated killed Ivan Grbavac posthumously with the medal of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan for courage and sacrifice. As a harmony singing group sang, late Ivan`s mother could not take her tear-soaked eyes off his photograph.

Ivan Grbavac was shot in the line of duty during a bank robbery as he tried to stop two robbers.

Not even President Stjepan Mesic or Police director Vladimir Faber could hide the tears in their eyes, while the area in front of the Academy was too small for all of Ivan`s friends, acquaintances and police officials.

- For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day – the gathered friends and acquaintances said farewell to the young officer with quotes from the Bible.

Vladimir Faber said that the police acted in accordance with regulations during this robbery. He pointed out that a shot at a police officer was a shot at the law-based state.

Take a look at the attached photo gallery: Commemorative Service For Killed Policeman Grbavac.

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