Légion d’Honneur for killed teacher

A TEACHER who was stabbed to death in front of pupils on the last day of the school year in Albi, France, will be posthumously decorated with the Légion d’Honneur.

According to the Official Journal, 34-year-old Fabienne Terral-Calmès will today be made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

As reported, she died of her injuries after being stabbed at Edouard Herriot school in Albi, Tarn.

A 47-year-old woman, believed to be the mother of a pupil, was arrested shortly after the stabbing.

The honour for Ms Terral-Calmès was granted "in exceptional circumstances" in recognition of “those killed or injured in the line of duty and are recognised worthy to receive this distinction,” the Grande Chancellerie de la Légion d'Honneur said.

Last week, education minister Benoît Hamon said that Ms Terral-Calmès' two children had been granted “ward of the nation” status.

A total 560 people have been decorated in the July 14 honours list - 457 Knights, 73 Officers, 22 Commanders, five Officers and three Grand Cross.

The Order has a maximum quota of 75 Grand Cross, 250 Grand Officers, 1,250 Commanders, 10,000 Officers and 113,425 (ordinary) Knights.

The “Angel of Dien Bien Phu”, military nurse Genevieve de Galard has been named Grand Cross of the Legion D’Honneur, along with writer Jean d'Ormesson, and former CEO of EDF Marcel Boiteux. There are currently 74 Grand Cross.

Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor is the highest French national distinctions. It currently has 92,000 members, Grande Chancellerie de la Légion d'Honneur said.

Photo: Sonny Ripert