Sergeant Major Sharon Rachmani

Daughter of Noami and Yehuda
Sister of Ofir and Keren.

Sharon is her parents’ youngest daughter, and she was born and raised in Maboim, Northern Negev. She was deeply devoted to her family, and was a loving daughter, sister and aunt. She was the first to respond to every message in her family’s WhatsApp groups, especially on birthdays and holidays.

Her colleagues threw a surprise party on her 34th birthday at her sister’s home (Keren). Being a huge fan of parties, Sharon was ecstatic, and she had hoped her family would organize a surprise party for her.

On January 2, 2022, she moved into a new house that she bought in Netivot. She filled that house with beautiful furniture and other unique items that conformed to her exceptional taste."

Sharon had served with Israel’s security forces throughout her adult life.
She served with the Israel Prison Service during her mandatory service years – as a prison guard at Ramon Prison.
Upon her discharge, she worked as an inspector at Tarkumiye crossing for nine years.

During those years, she studied law at Kiryat Ono College and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (cum laude). She was an intern of the Arrest Judge of Beersheba Court, and, after her internship, she began working for a private law firm.

After less than a year of working in the private sector, Sharon realized that her calling in life was to continue to serve the Israeli defense system. After considering her options, she decided to join the Israel Police. She joined the IP South District on January 2, 2020, and served as an Investigator with the Negev Central Unit.

Sharon’s colleagues spoke about her personal commitment to each and every case, and about her deep care and devotion to her clients even after her cases were closed and fully investigated. After her death, many commemorative plaques and letters were found in her belongings, which were given to her during her time as an investigator. Sharon was a humble woman who did not share each of her exceptional achievements with her family members.

Sharon was loved by all of her colleagues in the police. She regularly organize social events and gatherings, which she made sure would be cheerful, and full of music and joy.

"Sharon had Friday dinner with her mother and her sister’s family the night before the attack. During that gathering, Sharon said that she had been tasked with undercover duty at the Reim nature festival, and she sought their advice about how to properly dress for the occasion. Her mother urged her not to take the shift that was due to begin on Saturday morning because she was worried about the party taking place near to the border with Gaza, but Sharon was determined to meet her duties.

When the rocket attack began at 6:30 AM, the police officer whom she was meant to replace called her and to say that there was no need for her presence because police forces were dispersing the attendees at the festival. Sharon, who had already arrived, refused to leave. She stayed to help evacuate festival attendees and keep the roads open (or create alternative routes).

After it emerged that the attack in question was more than just a rocket attack, and that it included an invasion by terrorists, Sharon wrote the following message to her family: “Terrorists have infiltrated Sderot and Ofakim. Please remain in your homes.” After receiving this message, Sharon’s mother quickly left for her daughter’s house in Lehavim for fear of staying home alone.

Sharon’s father, who was abroad at the time, heard the news and called Sharon to ask her what’s going on in Israel. He had no idea that she was at the festival in Reim. As they spoke on the phone, he could hear gunfire in the background.
In the early hours of the morning, Sharon continued to write text messages to her family. She wrote that she was scared, that there are many terrorists around her, and that she was afraid the incident would end in disaster. She informed them that she was hiding in the bathrooms and refrigerator area, and asked her family to pray for her.
Communications were cut off at 9:26 AM.

Before that, Sharon’s father, who was abroad at the time, heard the news and called Sharon to ask her what’s going on in Israel. He had no idea that she was on duty at the festival in Reim. He could hear gunfire over the phone, and he immediately understood that he must end his vacation. He left for the airport and took the first plane to Israel. Upon arriving in Israel late in the afternoon, he immediately drove to Reim Parking Lot. On his way there, he passed by the staging area dedicated to the injured and deceased, which was only a few kilometers away from Reim. He looked around and could not find Sharon anywhere. He decided to continue driving towards Reim Parking Lot, but all the roads leading there were blocked, and fighting had still been going on. He had no other choice but to turn back.

For six days, the family had no idea what had happened to Sharon. It was in that time that her mobile phone was located. Her gun was found on the body of a terrorist in Beeri.

News about Sharon’s death were received on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The exact location of her death is unknown.

The Israel Police published the following notice on October 12, 2023:
“Courage under fire – we regretfully announce the death of First Sergeant Sharon Rachmani in the line of duty, an investigator with the Negev Central Unit (South District), who fought bravely against the enemy at Kibbutz Reim.

In her family, Sharon was considered the “spoiled” younger daughter. But outside of the house she was the exact opposite, revealing the full extent of her strength. She was assertive and determined, and a person who could achieve anything on her own. A true justice warrior. Sharon was full of life. They say she never liked being photographed, but she always took photos of everyone else.

A poem in her memory that was written by her loving family reads as follows:
“Our Dear Sharon,
‘You are a one-woman army, and you fight against everyone. That’s what makes you who you are - a warrior. Sharon was a genuine justice warrior. She fought everyone else’s war, and she only did that for them. She was dedicated to every task, and she always looked out for others. At home she was the spoiled member of the family, mommy and daddy’s “little girl.” She always loved to laugh and play with her nephews and nieces. She recorded every encounter and moment. She was a big fan of karaoke nights, where she habitually performed the song “Warrior” by Eyal Golan. We now realize the deeper meaning of that song, and how aptly it describes her. In her final moments, she fought valiantly against a band of bloodthirsty murderers, and saved the lives of other officers and citizens. We miss you and love you so much. You will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace.

Sharon was a big fan of music, and particularly Mizrahi music. She also liked spending time with her friends on Fridays.
Sharon intends to continue to commemorate her memory in the future in many joyous events, given how Sharon enjoyed hosting and organizing them."

Here is the eulogy written by Keren, Sharon’s sister:
“This is a WhatsApp message that you’ll never get to read. Sharoni, my baby sister.
I cannot describe my pain in words. Why did you have to go and leave me and Ophir behind? You’ve always been mom and dad’s little baby. We always had to look out for you, do everything for you, and give you advice.
You could drive us crazy with your stubbornness and determination. We had hoped that this stubbornness would help you survive the hell you’d gone through.
If you could only see, hear and know what we went through in those days.
How much we waited for a miracle.
But then came that knock on the door.
Underneath your tough exterior was a giant, beating heart. A heart that always gives.
You protected us until your final moments, and told us to protect ourselves because there were terrorists walking around.
In your final moments, you told us you’re sorry, and that you love us.
I’m so sorry I didn’t write you back that I love you too, and that I’m the one who’s sorry. Please forgive me.
Your computer is full of pictures of the kids. You made a point of recording every single moment of their childhood. It was only last Friday that we looked at those photos and laughed. You will always be Aunt Sharon to them.
I love you, sis.
I will always miss you. We will always miss you.
I promise to take care of mom and dad.
But promise me you’ll give us strength from up above.

The Rahmani family commemorated Sharon with a song (lyrics: Gal Sarig; music: Asaf Kalif and Bar Reuven).
The song.

“Underneath your tough exterior was a huge heart
A heart that always gives.
How you loved to enjoy yourself and to sing
Words and sounds
You took photos of everyone but yourself.
You were so determined.
You were always stubborn when you had to be, and you always got what you wanted
You left an open wound in our hearts.

And there’s no way to explain this to you, Sharon
To explain how devastating this pain is
We miss you more with each passing day
The sorrow will never end
We will never forget everything you’ve given us
And now you’re our guardian angel
And you’re going to make everyone in heaven laugh
We promised we won’t break

Your beautiful face is now a memory
But Sharon still remains in our hearts
Who could fill the vacuum you’ve left?
You loved your fellow officers
To make them laugh, to make yourself laugh
You’ve always protected everyone
Always full of love for your family
You will be in our hearts forever

And there’s no way to explain this to you, Sharon
To explain how devastating this pain is
We miss you more with each passing day
The sorrow will never end
We will never forget everything you’ve given us
And now you’re our guardian angel
And you’re going to make everyone in heaven laugh
We promised we won’t break.

Zehava Ben sang her song, “Maybe in Another World,” in Sharon’s memory as part of the “Shedding Tears for You” Project, which was orchestrated by Yediot Aharonot Group in collaboration with Mifal HaPayis. This performance and an interview with Sharon’s mother and sister can be found here.