A man has died in the line of duty, a family is in mourning, and a criminal will sooner or later be brought to justice and judged for their crime in accordance with the law. The Catholic moral code or each person’s secular conscience expresses, in these moments and circumstances, the “motus animi” which is necessary. Statements from authorities and politicians sometimes have partisan objectives, with polemical tones of accusation or defense far from the seriousness, dignity, and authority that the “mos maiorum” would demand in this case. They are sadly off-topic.
Christian Estrosi, Deputy-Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis
As the gendarme hit this afternoon by a fleeing car thief has just succumbed to his injuries, Christian Estrosi, Deputy-Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, wishes to extend his sincerest condolences to the victim’s family in the face of this tragedy.
For Christian Estrosi: “My first thoughts go to the family of this major killed in the line of duty by a unscrupulous criminal who leaves behind two orphans. I extend to them all my condolences and assure them of my most sincere compassion.
As for the Minister of the Interior, I wish to ask him what he is waiting for to send a message of firmness towards these criminals who attack law enforcement.
Less than a month ago, you were here in Nice among these police officers for a final tribute to one of their own, killed by a fleeing driver. Today, it is a gendarme.
How many deaths will it take for the Government to react and understand that the vague and contradictory messages sent from Paris are clearly understood by these potential criminals? The authority of the State is undermined. Outrages, insults, throwing of objects have become the daily life of these men and women in the service of security. It should not become their deaths too!
Last Saturday, when police officers were targeted during a motorcycle check, I already denounced, as I am now forced to do several times a week due to the increasing assaults, the Government’s passivity in the face of this rising violence.
Unfortunately, this situation persists and worsens. The Government must send a message of firmness at the risk of irrevocably leading the Republic into chaos!”.
Finally, Christian Estrosi extends to the colleagues of this major and more broadly to the entire National Gendarmerie the assurance of his full support in the face of this new ordeal.
Patrick ALLEMAND, 1st Vice-President of the Regional Council PACA
After the death of a policeman in Cannes last month, it is with emotion and anger that I learn of the death of a gendarmerie officer hit by fugitives during an operation at La Grave de Peille.
I first want to express all my condolences to the family of the major and his colleagues.
I sincerely hope that the culprits will be caught and brought to justice to answer for this unacceptable crime.
Having discussed it with him during his last visit to Nice, I know how committed the Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls is to providing the necessary resources to ensure that these acts are punished with the greatest severity. Those who attack the lives of police officers and gendarmes must know the price.
Eric Ciotti, Deputy, President of the General Council
“It is with immense emotion that I learned of the death of Major of Gendarmerie Daniel Brieres, struck while trying to stop the driver of a stolen vehicle.
This new tragedy occurs less than a month after Cannes, where a BAC officer was killed, and his teammate was seriously wounded.
Once again, the law enforcement officers are victims, in the line of duty, of particularly determined delinquents who do not hesitate to use violence and kill.
I wish for the culprit to be found and punished with the utmost severity.
This evening, all my thoughts are with the entire Gendarmerie Group of the Alpes-Maritimes, to whom I want to express, in these tragic moments, all my support.
I extend my sincerest condolences to the family and relatives of Major Daniel Brieres.”
Indignation and solidarity
A representative of the National Gendarmerie has lost his life in the performance of missions that fall within the preservation of public order and the safety of the population.
The Communist members of the General Council, deeply shocked by this tragedy, wish to express their total and complete solidarity first to the family, but also to the Gendarmerie Corps severely affected by this unspeakable act.
No reason can justify or explain such violence, which we condemn without reservation, and we hope that the perpetrator will be arrested at the earliest opportunity to be brought to justice.
It is serious for our Republic that such acts tend to multiply and that those who work for the safety of all our citizens become favored targets. A firm and comprehensive response is needed to show that the Republic intends to equip itself to respond everywhere and always to the challenges of security, aiming for a better coexistence where law enforcement fully play their role.
Noël ALBIN – Francis TUJAGUE – Jacques VICTOR, Communist General Councilors of the Alpes-Maritimes
“According to the initial evidence, the suspect did not try to avoid the gendarme who stood before him. He even accelerated towards him. These facts are intolerable. The fear of the gendarme has disappeared. Faced with this observation, public authorities must react. The Minister of the Interior must provide quick responses to this increasingly serious violence. I will do everything to change this.
Personally, I was shocked by the loss of a gendarme whom I had met on numerous occasions when he was stationed in Saint-André-de-la-Roche. This military man was a righteous, competent individual with an exemplary service record.
Finally, I wish to extend to his family all my most sincere condolences. Know that I will be particularly attentive to the follow-up of this case. The fear must change sides. I will do everything for it to come to fruition.”
Rudy Salles, Deputy, Deputy Mayor of Nice in charge of Tourism and International Relations
