With grief and gratitude, Montreal and family honour police officer killed in line of duty

With grief and gratitude, Montreal and family honour police officer killed in line of duty

Mohamed Lamine Benredouane's loved ones paid emotional tribute at Bell Centre public memorial

Const. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane's family, friends and thousands of police officers packed the Bell Centre to honour the fallen officer's life, service and sacrifice.

On Tuesday morning, they made their way through the streets of Montreal as part of a procession ahead of the public memorial.

Benredouane, 34, was shot and killed on June 22 in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood — the same community where he grew up and later chose to serve.

The shootout also claimed the life of a bystander, Michel Mizrahi, 68, and left another Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) officer wounded. The 25-year-old gunman also died.

The memorial began at around 12:30 p.m., with choral voices rising through the Bell Centre.

Police officers then rose in unison to salute the SPVM's consecrated flag, paying tribute to all officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

As the sound of bagpipes filled the air, Benredouane's colleague carried his cap to a floral tribute, laying it among the blue and white flowers.

'He wasn't just my brother, he was a part of me'

Members of Benredouane's family took the stage, opening their tribute with a verse from the Quran:

"And whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity," their words echoed through the venue, alluding to their brother's sacrifice.

Benredouane's older sister, Amira, began by thanking the people who had honoured and supported her brother in recent weeks. She also paid tribute to the civilian Mizrahi and offered words of support to the other officer who was injured during the fatal intervention.

"My brother was an extraordinary person," Amira said. "I will always be proud of you, proud of the child you were, proud of the man you became."

Her voice trembling, Amira recalled visiting the place where her brother was killed. As emotion overtook her, her other brother gently placed a hand on her back.

"He sacrificed himself, body and soul, to save countless people," she said.

Benredouane's identical twin, Ahmed Roshdy, described a bond forged from their very first breath.

"He wasn't just my brother, he was a part of me," he said.

"From day one, we've moved forward together, side by side... I've lost my other half."

Montreal police, elected officials march to commemorate officer killed in line of duty

Ahmed Roshdy remembered joining his brother on patrol in Côte-des-Neiges, where he watched him treat every citizen with dignity, compassion and respect.

Ahmed Roshdy also paid tribute to all officers who have died in the line of duty, including his wife's sister, a Sûreté du Québec officer killed in September 2012. He said Benredouane had been deeply affected by her death.

Fighting back tears, Ahmed Roshdy promised to take care of his brother's wife, their future child and their young son.

"They'll never be alone," he said.

"Your love and courage will continue to guide us. I love you, my twin, and I will love you for the rest of my life."

Montreal mourns police officer killed in neighbourhood where he grew up

His younger sister, Lina, described Benredouane as a constant source of inspiration whose resilience and courage shaped her.

"Your duty is done, your memory will live on forever," she said.

'More than a colleague,' injured officer says

The police officer who was with Benredouane during the June 22 operation, unable to attend the ceremony as she continues to recover from her injuries, shared a few words in a letter.

"Mo was more than a colleague, he was someone I could trust," the letter reads.

"He helped me become the police officer and the person I am today."

She wrote Benredouane, who had trained her, quickly made her feel welcome.

"Mo, it has been a privilege to work with you. You'll always have a special place in my heart."

Benredouane's former supervisor, Simon Deschênes, also paid tribute to the man he considered a brother and a friend.

"I knew you were one of a kind. I loved you from the very beginning," Deschênes said.

Commmending Benredouane's humility, meticulous work, and dedication to those around him, Deschênes noted that he always struggled to find areas for improvement for his friend during annual performance reviews.

"I'll always miss your hugs and your smile," Deschênes said.

'Your light will guide my steps': Montreal police chief

In an emotional tribute, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher retraced Benredouane’s life — from his childhood in Skikda, Algeria, where he loved riding alongside his father in a vehicle with flashing lights, to his immigration to Montreal at age 13 and his swearing-in as an SPVM officer on Dec. 3, 2021.

Having shared coffee with Benredouane a few times, Dagher said colleagues described him as "kind, caring person who looked out for everyone" and never hesitated to take on the toughest calls.

"The people of Montreal owe you a debt that can never be repaid," Dagher said.

Turning to Benredouane’s family, including his toddler and unborn child, Dagher fought back tears.

"Your dad was one of those people on Earth who knows exactly why they’re on this planet," he said.

He ended his speech by recalling one of the last songs played in Benredouane’s police cruiser before the fatal incident: Yellow by Coldplay, a song that references shining stars.

"Your light hasn’t dimmed, it just moved,” Dagher said. “Your light will guide my steps, our steps."

Grief fills the streets of Montreal

On Tuesday morning, a procession of police officers on motorcycles led the way, followed by thousands of uniformed officers walking in silence, visibly moved as they gathered to mourn.

The sound of bagpipes echoed through the streets of downtown Montreal, accompanying the tribute.

A police vehicle adorned with blue and white flowers — the colours of the SPVM — and a portrait of the victim also made its way through the streets.

Benredouane's death marked the first time in 24 years that an officer with the SPVM has been killed on the job.

Montreal police officer remembered at funeral service as man who risked his life to protect

Montreal shooting leads to national security investigation on ideological violence

Benredouane leaves behind a three-year-old son and a wife pregnant with their second child.

The City of Montreal created a condolence book for the public, which can be signed at city hall until Friday and will be given to Benredouane's family.

Ahead of the ceremony, Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière said he expected it to be an "extremely emotional" day.

"What's unique about being a police officer is that you're willing to make the ultimate sacrifice — to give your life to save the life of a stranger," Lafrenière said.

"And that's what happened to Mohamed that day. It was a horrific tragedy of unprecedented violence."

Hénia Ould-Hammou is a Montreal journalist with CBC News. She previously completed an internship with La Presse after graduating from McGill University with a double major in political science and psychology. Hénia is interested in international and societal issues, community stories, soccer, politics and rap. You can send her an email at henia.ould-hammou@cbc.ca