Haifa says goodbye to police chief Tomer
Hundreds attend funeral of Brigadier-General Ahuva Tomer who was critically wounded in Carmel fire disaster and died of her wounds. 'She was a natural leader,' Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen said
Hundreds of people arrived at the Haifa Military Cemetery Monday to pay their last respects to Haifa Police chief Brigadier-General Ahuva Tomer who died of her wounds after four days of hospitalization at the city's Rambam Hospital.
Tomer was severely injured in the Carmel forest fire, and sustained burns throughout her body while driving behind the bus that burned down while carrying 40 Prison Service cadets.
Six senior ranking police officers laid down Tomer's casket and saluted before her grave.
The funeral was attended among others by Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen and Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav.
Carrying Tomer's casket (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
Cohen described Tomer as "a strong woman who came of age in the police during more than 29 years of service. Her presence could not be ignored, she was a natural leader. Even after she was hurt she proved what a commander she was in spirit. She didn't leave us until she made sure the fire had been put out."
Haifa Mayor Yahav also spoke and said: "I can hardly imagine that the ball of energy you so aptly symbolized will no longer walk amongst us in the Haifa community. You were the quintessence and embodiment of the police. You were loved by us all."
"The embodiment of the police." Tomer's funeral (Photo: Hagai Aharon)
Northern District Police chief Major-General Shimon Koren said: "You join your two friends who were buried yesterday. The officers and commanders of the northern district grieve for you and salute you. In your passing you symbolized the boldness, the heroism and the hope for life. "
The shiva for Tomer will be held in Moshav Manot in the Upper Galilee where she resided for the past 15 years.
Tomer, 52, left behind her partner Danny Rosen and her mother Riva.
Rosen said his goodbyes at the hospital: "It will be very tough for me without her, we lost a great woman. I am not accustomed to talking about Ahuva in past tense. She was the first to run into the fire. Not just anyone would do what she did."
Hagai Einav contributed to this report
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