Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday night expressed deep condolences to the family of Bangladeshi-origin US police officer Didarul Islam, who was killed in a gunman’s attack in New York.

The family members of Didarul met the Chief Adviser at a hotel in New York, where he handed over a crest to them in honor of the slain police officer.

Among the family members present were Didarul’s father Mohammad Abdur Rob, mother Minara Begum, sons Ayhan Islam and Azhan Islam, brother Kamrul Hasan, nephew Adiyan Hasan, sister Nadima Begum and uncle Ahmed Jamal Uddin.

From the Chief Adviser’s entourage, National Citizen Party’s (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Joint Convener Dr Tasnim Jara were also present.

I was shocked after reading the news in the newspaper. I couldn’t comprehend how it happened. Later, I saw on TV how thousands of people gathered at his farewell in New York. He received enormous love, respect and sympathy from people. While planning this visit to New York, we felt it was important to meet you, the Chief Adviser told the family.

The family members said Didarul was a responsible and respected officer of the New York Police Department (NYPD). He joined the force in 2021 and was posted at the 47th Precinct in the Bronx. He left behind two children.

On July 28, Didarul was shot dead by a gunman on Park Avenue in Manhattan.

According to the family, a young assailant stormed into a high-rise corporate building and opened fire indiscriminately before killing himself. Didarul was shot while trying to stop the attacker, risking his own life. His body bore eight to ten bullet wounds, they added.