Heartbreaking! Husband of slain French policeman gives emotional eulogy

The husband of Xavier Jugelé who was killed in an attack in Paris last week, has delivered an emotional eulogy in the French capital.

Étienne Cardiles spoke about his heartbreaking loss in a state ceremony honouring Xavier, 37, on Tuesday, attended by politicians, officials and police officers.

Holding back tears, Étienne remembered that when he left for work on the fateful day of the attack, Xavier was still asleep.

“Over the course of the day, we spoke about our plans to go on holiday in a country far away, and you told me you were excited…” Étienne said.

“I returned home that evening without you, with extreme and profound pain, that maybe one day will weaken.”

Étienne revealed that when he heard the reports that a policeman had been shot on the Champs Élysées, “a small voice” told him that it might have been his husband.

Étienne said he would “suffer without hate” because that is not what Xavier would have wanted and not why he joined the police force. Xavier, explained Étienne, believed “that tolerance, dialogue and patience” were his strongest weapons.

He described his husband as a “man full of culture and joy, who loved music and film”.

Étienne concluded: “I would like to tell you that you will stay in my heart forever. I love you. Let us all remain worthy and watch over the peace. And keep the peace.”

Xavier, who was one of the first respondents in the 2015 Bataclan massacre, was the only fatality when Karim Cheurfi opened fire on a police van on the Champs Élysées on Thursday.

Two other officers and a bystander were injured, while Cheurfi was shot dead as he fled. Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Xavier was posthumously promoted and awarded the Legion of Honor.

Watch Étienne’s eulogy, with translation, below.

“I’m suffering without hate.”

Incredibly powerful eulogy by husband of the policeman murdered last week in Paris. pic.twitter.com/VZ631nmlNW

— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) April 25, 2017