While he may died a hero doing what he loves best, for his beloved family in Glencoe nothing can replace the empty space left by the tragic death of Niren Ramsaroop.
He was shot dead by robbers in central Empangeni while trying to apprehend two men who had robbed a group of women of around R10 000. Although he was shot in the chest, the brave Warrant Officer (40) managed to return fire, injuring one robber. This, despite having a recent operation on his hand. He died on the street.
His family on Burnside Road is still coming to terms with the death of the eldest of four siblings.

“It was awful having to break the tragic news to my younger brothers in Johannesburg. One of my brothers, whom we call Poppy, and his wife will have their first child in March – Niren would have been part of that joy – but now he won’t be here.”

Brother, Kooks, told the Courier on Saturday, a week after his brother was shot, how the family was battling to cope with their loss. “He was known simply as Foxy – he had an engaging smile – sort of Foxy – and a lovely sense of humour. Right now we are just thinking what were his last thoughts as he lay on the road, gasping for breath. He died fighting crime – something he had been passionate about for 21 years.’
Niren was not married but did have a partner. He completed school at ML Glencoe Secondary and after police college went to Empangeni where he served first in the Farm Unit and then in the Visible Policing Unit.

Sadly, he had called his mother in Glencoe on the Friday to tell him that he had been promoted to Warrant Officer. “She even told that she was proud but to be careful – especially with all the terrible police killings there have been.” And then the news came through on Saturday morning.
“It was awful having to break the tragic news to my younger brothers in Johannesburg. One of my brothers, whom we call Poppy, and his wife will have their first child in March – Niren would have been part of that joy – but now he won’t be here.”
Niren’s mum was still too upset to chat to the Courier but Kooks said the family was very touched by the support they had received from the SAPS and the local community. “It was wonderful to see the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Ngobeni and others here… and so many other police members… really, the police are like a family and look after each other. I have huge respect for that.”
Kooks and Niren were very close and often exchanged phone calls over the latest Liverpool football club results. “He was a big (Liverpool) fan. When he visited he never spoke about his work. He was not a bragger. He just loved being with his family and friends. But the outpouring of grief and the respect we have seen from his colleagues in the Empangeni police and elsewhere make us very proud that Foxy was a hero – a hero he did not deserve to die like that.”
The Courier has since heard that the second gunman was also arrested – keeping to General Ngobeni’s word that the police would not sleep until the killers are brought to book.