Eastern Cape police diver Pierre Marx, who died during flood rescue operations in the Buffalo City Metro last weekend, has been hailed as a rare breed and an asset to the South African Police Service.
He was laid to rest in East London on Saturday.
According to the police report, the 53-year-old officer was swept away by a strong current. 21 people died in the floods in the Eastern Cape.
The South African Police Service says it has lost highly skilled and disciplined officer.
Speaking at Marx’s funeral service, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the South African Police Service lost a highly skilled and disciplined officer.
“To be buried in a South African flag means one thing: you are a national asset. The country agrees from the level of the President of South Africa, so we are burying an asset here not just a person we don’t know,” says Bheki Cele.
VIDEO: Police diver who died during the flood rescue operation laid to rest
An emotional send-off for a man who died with his boots on. He was saving the lives of the vulnerable when he was confronted with death. Colleagues described him as a rare breed. Friends and family were inconsolable.
His brother Andries Marx says, “As a result of his passing, we are left with pain, confusion and anger…It broke our hearts to lose him.”
A friend and former colleague Steve Leslie says, “He was not only a colleague, but he was also a brother, friend. Brother…life without you will be tough.”
Marx is survived by his wife and siblings.
