Command Sgt. Maj. Roman Gendel, 47: Veteran cop and devoted father

Command Sgt. Maj. Roman “Yaser” Gendel, 47, a counterterrorism instructor in the Border Police’s Tactical Division, from Ramle, was killed on October 7 while battling the Hamas invasion of southern Israel.

With the start of the attack, Roman was called up to the front lines to help counter the waves of Hamas terrorists, according to an online eulogy. Meeting up with his comrades, they headed for Sderot. On the way, they heard that there was a call from the local security team of Kibbutz Nir Am begging for reinforcements.

Roman and his comrades headed toward the kibbutz and realized that a cell of terrorists was holed up in the egg hatchery just outside. They moved toward the hatchery to battle the terrorists, and Roman was shot dead in the gun battle.

He was buried in Lod on October 8. He is survived by his two daughters, Eden and Adi, his mother, Sofia, brother Igor and girlfriend Natasha. He was predeceased by his father, Yevgeny.

Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Roman moved to Israel with his brother in 1993, when he was just 17. He enlisted in the IDF not long after, serving in the Border Police while stationed in Jerusalem.

After completing his mandatory service, Roman chose to stay in the Border Police, serving in the branch for close to 30 years until the day he was killed. In recent years, he served as an instructor in a number of units, helping to shape the future of the Border Police.

In 2010, he wed Alexandra, and they had two daughters before divorcing in 2016; he later found love with his girlfriend, Natasha. He enjoyed motorcycles and had a keen interest in weaponry, his friends and family said.

Tamar Tal, who served with Roman, described him on Facebook as “our legendary warrior, the most dedicated friend and father, with a sense of humor that could lift me out of any shitty situation or just a bad day.”

“I am sure that you fought like a hero and did everything to protect the people of Israel,” she added. “Thank you for your concern for me and my daughters — none of us can believe your name was on that awful list sent to us.”

Roman’s family recalled him as a devoted friend who always sought to defend his adopted country.

“His whole life was the security services, from the moment he came to Israel, he decided he wanted to enlist,” said his brother, Igor, in a memorial video.

Roman was “not just a brother in name, he was my other half, we were very close.”

His mother, Sofia, said in the video, “He’s a hero, I’m proud, but he’s first and foremost my son.”

“An excellent son, an excellent father, a friend, a brother,” she said. “He’s always right in front of my eyes. I’m still waiting [for him to come back], I don’t fully believe [he’s gone].”

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