Heartbroken street dog pays tribute to fallen police hero
A LOYAL dog is keeping a lonely vigil at the spot where a hero policeman sacrificed his life to stop a terror outrage.
Street dog Zeytin is guarding the spot where policeman Fethi Sekin died last week
Fethi Sekin’s street dog called Zeytin is pining away among the growing floral tributes outside the courthouse he prevented from being devasated. Zeytin was seen close to the Turkish police officer’s side during the shootout that claimed his life in Izmir last week.
Officer Sekin is being hailed a national hero for preventing major loss of life in the attack, but for Zeytin there are now just long days of forlorn waiting for a friend who will never return.
The 43-year-old officer stood his ground when he was confronted by Kurdish terrorists
CCTV of car bomb outside Turkish courthouse
Confronted by suspected Kurdish terrorists, the 43 year old officer had stood his ground when they tried to get their vehicle packed with explosives inside the cordon protecting the Palace of Justice.
When the heavily-armed gang abandoned the car bomb, Sekin chased after them with Zeytin by his side, only to be gunned down seconds later.
Zeytin is waiting for a friend who will never return
By stopping the vehicle getting into the court complex and then detonating at a safe distance in the street saved scores of lives, say the Turkish authorities.
The police guard had protected the court house for a decade and had befriended the scruffy black stray, feeding the animal and providing companionship.
Colleagues say the policeman loved animals almost as much as people. Turkey’s president has called the policeman’s family to pay tribute for his actions, telling his widow Rabia he had prevented a massacre.
People attend the funeral ceremony of Sekin and courthouse officer Musa Can, who were also killed
Smoke bellows following explosion in Izmir
The president has vowed that Turkey will look after the dead officer’s children, vowing: “The state of the Republic of Turkey is strong to protect these trusts. We will stand by them, including in their education."
Turkish animal lovers want Zeytin to also receive regular food and care as a mark of respect for fallen officer who had become his friend.