On April 13, 2011, police officer Dick Haveman (48) tragically lost his life in Baflo while attempting to apprehend a suspect. During a struggle, the suspect managed to seize Havemans service weapon and shot him dead. The impact of this event was – and still is – significant. Firstly, of course, on Havemans family, relatives, and friends. But also on the directly involved colleagues, on the base team Ommelanden-Noord, and within the Police Unit North Netherlands.

Tangible Place of Remembrance
The memorial tile is placed on Sasmaweg in Baflo, the place where Haveman lost his life. This now provides a public and lasting place of remembrance: close by, visible, and accessible. The tile symbolizes Havemans courage, dedication, and commitment as a police officer.

Private Ceremony
About forty invited guests were present at the private unveiling: family members, friends, colleagues, former colleagues, and representatives from the police and municipality.

Team leader Rahim Sahin (BT Ommelanden-Noord) spoke warmly about Dick during the event: He was an enthusiastic, responsible, and reliable colleague who always dedicated his heart and soul to his profession. Dick was loved among his colleagues – brave, but never reckless. He had a sharp sense of humor, was compassionate and decisive. A police officer through and through who loved his job.

Mayor Henk Jan Bolding of the municipality of Het Hogeland expressed his gratitude for Dicks efforts to keep public order safe: It is important to pause for someone who gave his life for safety and public order. At a time when emergency services are sometimes vilified, it is especially important to emphasize that there is immense appreciation for the work that the police do.

Why We Continue to Remember
The police commemorate colleagues who lost their lives while performing their duties in various ways: at stations, in the Garden of Reflection in Warnsveld, and in recent years with memorial tiles at the place where a colleagues life ended during duty.

The name of Dick Haveman is included in the Garden of Reflection in Warnsveld. The memorial tile in Baflo adds valuable support and remembrance for his loved ones and colleagues.