Tribute to Clarissa Jean-Philippe

Afroculture.net pays tribute to Clarissa Jean Philippe. This young woman from Martinique, a municipal police officer, became an iconic figure in the fight against terrorism in France.

Date of birth: 1 September 1988
Date of death: 8 January 2015

The historical context

Between 7 and 9 January 2015, France suffered a wave of attacks between Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher. This deadly event caused the deaths of 17 people. Among them was municipal police officer Clarissa Jean-Philippe, originally from Martinique.

But what exactly happened?

Clarissa Jean Philippe was born in 1988 in Sainte-Marie, Martinique. On that day, she was taking her first steps as a municipal police officer in Paris.

While on patrol in Mont Rouge in the Hauts-de-Seine department on 8 January 2015, Clarissa was shot in the back with a Kalashnikov rifle by terrorist Amedy Coulibaly. She collapsed on the pavement. Sadly, she could not be saved and died tragically at the age of 26.

LPoor Clarissa lost her life in the line of duty the day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo, when she was called out to a routine traffic accident.

A symbolic act of remembrance and gratitude on behalf of the nation.

Every year, from Montrouge to Paris, from the Paris region to Martinique, commemorative events are held to pay tribute to this courageous municipal police officer. The young policewoman’s mother, Marie Louisa Jean-Philippe, fought to ensure that her daughter would never be forgotten.

In order to perpetuate her memory, the French state heard the cries of pain from this poor mother. On 13 January 2015, she was posthumously made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. A year later, a plaque in honour of Clarissa Jean-Philippe was unveiled.

In another symbolic gesture, in December 2024, the municipal police station decided to rename itself. It will now bear the name of Clarissa Jean-Philippe.