This story is free to read.

Slain Jewish guard in Denmark described as ‘irreplaceable’

Danish police officers stand outside of a synagogue, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, where a gunman opened fire in Copenhagen, Denmark. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. (AP Photo/Niels Hougaard, POLFOTO) DENMARK OUT Danish police officers stand outside of a synagogue, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, where a gunman opened fire in Copenhagen, Denmark. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. (AP Photo/Niels Hougaard, POLFOTO) DENMARK OUT

By Associated Press February 15, 2015 3 min read

JERUSALEM (AP) – Denmark’s chief rabbi said the Jewish victim of an attack near Copenhagen’s main synagogue on Sunday was an “irreplaceable” security guard protecting the city’s Jewish community.

Rabbi Jair Melchior said Dan Uzan, 37, was guarding a celebration at a Jewish community building near the synagogue when he was shot dead.

“He was a person who was always willing to help. An amazing, amazing guy,” said Melchior, speaking from Israel’s international airport before boarding a return flight to Copenhagen.

There are an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 Jews in Denmark, including about 2,000 active members of the Jewish community, which operates its own security patrol that coordinates with police to protect Jewish institutions.

The community had previously asked police for enhanced security, and following last month’s attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris, Denmark police began reevaluating security arrangements, Melchior said.