Funeral ceremonies held in Wrocław and Łozina were attended, alongside family, relatives, friends and police officers from across Poland and abroad, by, among others, Czesław Mroczek, Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration; Police Inspector General Dariusz Augustyniak, acting Chief of Police; Police Inspector General Dariusz Wesołowski, Lower Silesian Provincial Police Commander; and Junior Inspector Rafał Siczek, Wrocław Municipal Police Commander, who arrived with their deputies. Representatives of the government and local authorities were also present, including Lower Silesian Deputy Voivode Jarosław Kresa and Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk.
Sadly, the time to say goodbye to our fellow police officers Ireneusz Michalak and Daniel Łuczyński came far too soon. We set out with great sadness and sorrow on their final earthly journey. On December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit on Bardzka Street in Wrocław and at 2:00 p.m. at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Health of the Sick, in Łozina, funeral ceremonies for the Wrocław police officers were held in accordance with police ceremonial protocol, including the presence of flag details, an honor guard company and police bands. They died as a result of injuries sustained after being shot while on duty on December 1, 2023.
The funeral ceremonies, led by the Lower Silesian Police chaplain, Canon Stanisław Stelmaszek, were attended together with the families of the deceased officers by: Czesław Mroczek, Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration; Police Inspector General Dariusz Augustyniak, acting Chief of Police; Police Inspector General Dariusz Wesołowski, Lower Silesian Provincial Police Commander; and Junior Inspector Rafał Siczek, Wrocław Municipal Police Commander, who arrived with their deputies. Also present were representatives of the Lower Silesian Provincial Board of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union of Police Officers, headed by Senior Sergeant Piotr Malon; officers representing the International Police Association (IPA); representatives of veterans’ and civic organizations in the province; commanders of organizational units of the Lower Silesian police garrison and from across the country and abroad; as well as representatives of other services, including the Polish Armed Forces, Fire Service, Border Guard, Prison Service and Wrocław Municipal Guard. Representatives of local authorities from Lower Silesia also attended: Deputy Voivode Jarosław Kresa; Krzysztof Maj, Member of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Board, representing Lower Silesian Voivodeship Marshal Cezary Przybylski; and Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk. Police officers and employees, representatives of trade unions, associations and foundations, and the entire police community also came to bid farewell to the uniformed officers from across the country.
During the Holy Masses, the fallen officers were ceremonially decorated and promoted to higher service ranks.
By decision of the Minister of the Interior and Administration, at the request of the Chief of Police, Senior Sergeant Ireneusz Michalak and Senior Sergeant Daniel Łuczyński were posthumously awarded the Gold Badge of Merit for Police Service for their merits in carrying out the statutory duties of the Police. Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration Czesław Mroczek presented the badges to the families of the deceased officers.
By order of the President of the Republic of Poland, the officers being mourned today were posthumously promoted to the rank of Police Sub-Commissioner. Acting Chief of Police Police Inspector General Dariusz Augustyniak presented the promotion documents to the family.
Family members of the deceased and Wrocław Municipal Police Commander Junior Inspector Rafał Siczek spoke during the funeral ceremonies. In his speech, the commander recalled the service careers of Sub-Commissioner Ireneusz Michalak, who had served for 26 years, and Sub-Commissioner Daniel Łuczyński, who had served for 19 years, and spoke about their lives. Regarding Irek, he said, among other things: “Many of us will remember him as always smiling and committed; he often helped younger police officers. We are proud that he decided to join the police family during his life. He was an integral part of it—devoted, responsible, and someone we could always rely on. Every day he faced challenges to ensure the safety and peace of citizens. It is an honor for us that we were able to work with Ireneusz. His memory will remain in our hearts forever.” Addressing the wife and children, Junior Inspector Rafał Siczek said: “Your husband and father is a hero. May the example of his life teach us about courage, service and loyalty.” Remembering Daniel, the Wrocław Municipal Police Commander emphasized that: “(…) Daniel was associated with the Wrocław-Fabryczna station. From the beginning, he stood out as a police officer—smiling and always helpful. We are proud that he joined our ranks. In his service, he was guided by honesty and dedication. It is an honor for us that we were able to work with Daniel. We will always cherish his memory in our hearts.” Addressing Daniel’s wife and children, he said: “Your husband and father is a hero. I thank his parents and wife for making Daniel such a wonderful person.”
The deaths of Sub-Commissioner Ireneusz Michalak and Sub-Commissioner Daniel Łuczyński of the Wrocław-Fabryczna Police Station are an immense tragedy for their families, friends, acquaintances and everyone who wears the blue uniform. It is as if a part of each of us had died… Condolences are coming from across Poland and beyond our country’s borders. Overcome with sadness, grief, anger and uncertainty, we try to pause and say: thank you for all the good you gave us; through your conduct, you fulfilled your oath to the very end. We will remember you! Honor their memory!
On behalf of the families and police officers, we thank everyone who took part in the final journey of our colleagues from the Wrocław-Fabryczna Police Station.