Sgt. Maj. Vitaly Karasik, 38: Veteran policeman who loved this country
Killed battling Hamas at the Supernova music festival on Oct. 7
Israel Police Sgt. Maj. Vitaly Karasik, 38, a crime scene investigator in the Tel Aviv District, from Ashkelon, was killed fighting Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7.
Vitaly was on duty as part of the security team at the festival when the Hamas attack began, a job he took to earn extra income for his family. Early that morning he told other police officers that he was working to evacuate the partygoers from the scene. When the heavily armed terrorists began to arrive, Vitaly headed to fend them off with just his handgun, and was killed in the exchange of fire.
He is survived by his wife, Yulia, their children, Polina and Daniel, his parents, Boris and Zina and his sister, Ora. He was buried at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 8.
Born in Mogilev, Belarus, Vitaly moved to Israel with his family when he was 11 years old, settling in Ashdod.
After finishing high school, he enlisted in the army and served as a combat medic in the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade in the Armored Corps, including during the Second Lebanon War. After being released, he worked for a period as a security guard and medic for tour groups, including a Taglit-Birthright group from Russia, where he met his wife, Yulia, who moved to Israel to be with him.
In 2010 he decided to enlist in the Israel Police, where he served for 13 years until he was killed, moving up in the ranks and completing a bachelor’s degree in criminology, eventually landing in the role of crime scene investigator in the Tel Aviv District.
“Vitaly was a happy guy, always with a smile on his face, kind, always the first to help,” a eulogy from the Israel Police reads. “He was a family man, a proud father to his children, a decent person who loved people. Vitaly loved to live his life as if every day was his last, loved rock music, beer and good food.”
The police officer “loved the land of Israel, fought for it, and during conversations with his family he would always mention that he was willing to give his life for the good of the country, which ultimately turned out to be true.”
His sister, Ora, shared on Facebook the eulogy she read at his funeral: “I was always so proud of you! You are my hero, our hero!”
“Even when times were tough you never lost your optimism,” she said. “You were a wonderful father, you had two angels, Daniel and Polina, your children. You were so proud of them, you were a caring husband, a loving son and a wonderful brother… your whole life was in service, you always defined yourself as a Zionist, loved the land, loved this country.”
“You said that were willing to give your life for the sake of this nation, and it came true,” she added. “You were so abundant in life, with a smile always on your face.”
