In the municipality of Ilidža, where the Željeznica River flowsinto the Bosna River, the quick and courageous intervention of police officers Irfan Merdanović and Elmir Begić saved a life last month. A woman, the mother of underage children, was rescued from certain drowning. According to officer Elmir Begić, she was exhausted and without strength when the officers reached her.
Begić has spent his career in the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton, which he joined in 1993, and he is set to retire in a few months. This incident will be one of the defining moments of his career and something he will always remember.
“We responded to a report that a woman had been seen in the river. We immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and knew we had to act because the woman was drowning. My colleague Irfan took off his belt and phone and threw himself into the river. At that moment, I also feared for his life,” Begić said.
“The river would certainly have carried her away if he had not jumped in and caught her on the second attempt. She was exhausted. We stayed with her until the ambulance arrived and took her,” Begić concluded.
This brave police officer faced many difficult cases during his 33-year career, but like all those who perform this job out of a sense of honor, duty, and respect for the uniform they wear, he does not speak much about his achievements. It is not widely known that about 20 years ago, he carried a disabled person in his arms and walked down from the fifth floor of an apartment building set on fire in Ilidža. His selfless act had a happy ending because, after the fire broke out, a mother managed to save her children but could not help her disabled husband. Begić saved a human life that day, and saving one human life is like saving the whole world.
His younger colleague, Irfan Merdanović, has been a police officer for just three years, but colleagues have nothing but praise for him. When he saw a woman in the river, he did not hesitate; he knew he had to save her and swam after her. Although he has just begun his career as a police officer, this was not the first time he saved a human life.
“I have faced various cases, but I especially remember the intervention we responded to after an emergency medical call. A woman with psychological issues had locked herself in the apartment with a minor. When we entered, we saw that she was holding a knife under the child’s neck. I began speaking to her in a calm and composed manner, trying to calm her down. I continued talking until I was close enough to take the weapon and secure the child. Fortunately, everything ended well,” said this brave young police officer.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Admir Katica, wanted to personally meet these police officers and congratulate them on their achievements in performing police duties. For their selfless dedication, bravery, and devotion, they received a monetary reward.
“They are the pride of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton. The senior colleague, with his invaluable experience, serves as a mentor to the young police officer, who has wholeheartedly embraced the police uniform and all the challenges this demanding duty entails. The results speak for themselves. Begić and Merdanović represent the image of the modern, strong, and brave law enforcement we are building, and they are proof of our success. By risking their own lives, our police officers are always the first to help citizens and perform their duty with honor,” stated Minister Katica.
