Ramle Zaka officer Avi Challa, 45, had just completed operating on the scene of a call when he told colleagues he was not feeling well. As such, he decided to take a taxi home, but he suffered and heart attack and cardiac arrest before arriving or shortly thereafter. Reports of the exact timing of the events are conflicting.

Whatever the case, CPR was started and advanced life support implemented, without success. A physician pronounced him R”L dead on the scene.

Zaka leader Yehuda Meshi-Zahav stated he was truly among the most dedicated volunteers in the organization, having recently arranged an advanced course for members in conjunction with the IDF Homefront Command. Fellow volunteers stated that during his years of service, he found himself on some of the most difficult calls, always performing on a most professional level, always focused and aware of the mission.

The levaya will get underway on Monday night, at 11:30pm, from the niftar’s home at 10 Brenner Street in Ramle. The kvura will take place in the new city cemetery.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)