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Trèbes attack: Paris ceremony for hero policeman Arnaud Beltrame Trèbes attack: Paris ceremony for hero policeman Arnaud Beltrame
(about 2 hours later)
The French police officer who died after he offered himself in exchange for a hostage in an Islamist attack is being honoured in Paris. Tributes have been paid across France to the police officer who died after he offered himself in exchange for a hostage in an Islamist attack.
Lt Col Arnaud Beltrame, 44, was one of four victims of a shooting spree in southern France on Friday. The coffin carrying Lt Col Arnaud Beltrame was driven in heavy rain through Paris, where a national memorial service was held.
He will be awarded France's highest accolade, the Legion d'Honneur, at a national memorial service later. President Emmanuel Macron said the officer symbolised the "French spirit of resistance".
President Emmanuel Macron said he "fell as a hero" after showing "exceptional courage and selflessness". Three other people were also killed in Friday's attacks in southern France.
Crowds watched in the rain as the officer's coffin was taken in procession through the streets of Paris to Les Invalides, where Mr Macron will deliver a eulogy in front of dozens of Col Beltrame's friends, family and colleagues. Col Beltrame's widow and dozens of his friends, family and colleagues attended a ceremony at Les Invalides in the French capital.
"To be willing to die so that innocent people continue to live, this is the heart of a soldier's promise," Mr Macron said as he delivered a eulogy.
"To be ready to give your own life because nothing is more important than the life of a citizen, this is the ultimate effect of the transcendence he bore."
In the ceremony attended by several former French presidents, Mr Macron awarded the officer France's highest accolade, the Legion d'Honneur.
Earlier, a minute's silence was observed in all police stations across France, and flags were lowered to half-mast on public buildings.Earlier, a minute's silence was observed in all police stations across France, and flags were lowered to half-mast on public buildings.
After the ceremony, Col Beltrame's coffin will travel back to Carcassone for his funeral. Col Beltrame's coffin will now travel back to the southern city of Carcassone for his funeral.
'He never gave up' 'He gave his life for strangers'
Col Beltrame was a highly-regarded member of the Gendarmerie Nationale and was described by Mr Macron as someone who "fought until the end and never gave up" and deserved "the respect and admiration of the whole nation". Col Beltrame was a highly-regarded member of the Gendarmerie Nationale, and friends and relatives have remembered his sense of duty and generosity.
His brother Cedric told a French radio station on Saturday: "He gave his life for strangers. He must have known that he didn't really have a chance. If that doesn't make him a hero, I don't know what would."His brother Cedric told a French radio station on Saturday: "He gave his life for strangers. He must have known that he didn't really have a chance. If that doesn't make him a hero, I don't know what would."
Col Beltrame's actions helped bring an end to the siege in a supermarket by 25-year-old Redouane Lakdim. Col Beltrame's actions helped bring an end to the siege in a supermarket in Trèbes by 25-year-old Redouane Lakdim, who had earlier killed a person in Carcassone.
The gunman had been on an extremist watch list and was known to authorities as a petty criminal, but intelligence services had determined he did not pose a threat. He was shot dead by police.The gunman had been on an extremist watch list and was known to authorities as a petty criminal, but intelligence services had determined he did not pose a threat. He was shot dead by police.
Sixteen people were injured, two seriously, in what was the worst jihadist attack under Mr Macron's presidency.Sixteen people were injured, two seriously, in what was the worst jihadist attack under Mr Macron's presidency.
Lakdim was said to have demanded the release of Salah Abdeslam, the most important surviving suspect in the 13 November 2015 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.Lakdim was said to have demanded the release of Salah Abdeslam, the most important surviving suspect in the 13 November 2015 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.
The attacker's girlfriend, who has not been named, is reportedly a convert to Islam who has been known to security services for at least a year.The attacker's girlfriend, who has not been named, is reportedly a convert to Islam who has been known to security services for at least a year.
On Tuesday, she was placed under formal investigation accused of "associating with terrorists preparing attacks" and remains in police custody.On Tuesday, she was placed under formal investigation accused of "associating with terrorists preparing attacks" and remains in police custody.
One other person, a 17-year-old friend of the gunman, was released on Monday after being questioned.One other person, a 17-year-old friend of the gunman, was released on Monday after being questioned.