U.S Consulate General in Istanbul Commemorates First Anniversary of Terrorist Attack

Three Police officers who lost their lives during a terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul on July 9, 2008,  Erdal Öztaş, Mehmet Önder Saçmalıoğlu, and Nedim Çalık were remembered at a ceremony in front of the Consulate on the first anniversary of the attack. About fourty members of the deceased officers’ families arrive at the Consulate. U.S. Consul General Sharon Wiener and Ambassador James Jeffrey welcomed the family members. Istanbul Governor Muammer Güler , Chief of Police Hüseyin Çapkın, Prof. Dr. Erman Tuncer, Advisor to Istanbul Mayor,  Mr. Mehmet Hançer, the Muhtar of Istinye, families of the officers, local neighbors, and consulate staff were present at the commemoration ceremony. Consul General Sharon A. Wiener’s remarks were followed by Chief of Police Çapkın and Governor Güler, and  Ambassador James Jeffrey. The sister of slain officer Nedim Çalık also delivered a moving tribute. A memorial plaque in honor of the three police officers was unveiled. Ambassador Jeffrey invited families to the unveiling of the street sign changing the name of the street in front of the consulate to “Üç Şehitler Sokağı” in honor of the police officers. The American flag flew at half mast during the morning ceremony.