Police Officer Killed During Car Chase Near Athens

A 29-year-old police officer from the DIAS motorcycle unit was killed during a car chase in Aspropyrgos in western Attica in the early hours of Monday.

According to reports from public broadcaster ERT, the incident unfolded following a response to a car theft in progress in Nikaia near Piraeus. Upon arrival at the scene, police identified two suspect vehicles attempting to evade capture. A pursuit ensued, involving at least one DIAS motorcycle unit with two officers and a police car.

During the high-speed chase, one of the suspect vehicles executed a dangerous maneuver, causing the police motorcycle to collide with a police car.

Both DIAS officers were promptly transported to the Thriasio General Hospital of Elefsina. The 29-year-old officer succumbed to his injuries at a later time. The second officer is presently receiving treatment at the 401 Military Hospital. A 20-year-old suspect, identified as Roma, has been apprehended by the police.

Citizen Protection Minister Ioannis Oikonomou has extended his condolences to the family and the Greek Police (ELAS).

“Yet another Greek police officer has fallen in the line of duty, bravely striving to protect society from criminal elements. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the Greek Police,” Oikonomou said.

“The personnel of the Greek Police, operating under extremely challenging conditions, are dedicated to addressing both the surge of violence and lawlessness afflicting the Western world and the skepticism that some segments of society harbor toward police work,” he said.

“With unwavering dedication and selflessness, they make substantial contributions to every facet of daily life and deserve widespread recognition and support,” he added.

Earlier in December, a police officer was seriously injured during clashes with hooligans outside an Athens volleyball arena. A flare shot by a hooligan severed a thigh artery in the 30-year-old officer.

Police officers in Greece who lost their lives

Greece has a long history of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Some of the most notable cases include:

• 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising: Fourteen police officers were killed and fifty-eight were wounded during the student uprising against the Greek military junta.
• 1985 Athens railway station bombing: Two police officers were killed and thirty-four were wounded in a bombing at Athens railway station by the terrorist group Revolutionary Organization 17 November.
• 1996 Olympic Village bombing: One police officer was killed and fifteen were wounded in a bombing at the Olympic Village by the Revolutionary Organization 17 November.
• 2008 Maroussi police station shooting: Three police officers were killed and two were wounded in a shooting at the Maroussi police station by anarchist terrorists.
• 2010 Agios Ioannis Rentis police station bombing: One police officer was killed and fifteen were wounded in a bombing at the Agios Ioannis Rentis police station by anarchist terrorists.
• 2013 Athens police station shooting: Two police officers were killed and two were wounded in a shooting at the Athens police station by a lone gunman.