Family remembers slain officer who died saving a mother and her children
Cape Town - The family of the slain armed response officer who was hailed a hero after he rushed inside a residence to save a mother and her children from an intruder during a home invasion in Bergvliet, said he lived up to his oath to serve and protect and was selfless in his act.
The Cape Argus spoke with the family of Alexander “Chris” Bottomley, 57, from Pro-Sec Technologies Security Company, who was shot and killed while responding to the panic alarm incident on January 5 in Princess Road just after 4am.
According to Bottomley’s daughter, Chantal Abrahams, he had risked life and limb to save the woman and her children because he knew the situation was critical and dangerous for the family inside the residence.
She explained that Bottomley, from Lavender Hill, who had four children and six grandchildren, married her mother, Denise Bottomley last year after they started dating in 2021.
The family soon learned what a caring and devoted family man he was – dedicated to his work and the community he served and became accustomed to knowing his clients.
“He would work a 12-hour shift and when I could not fetch my son due to being at work, he would put his sleep aside and fetch him,” said Abrahams.
“He was always trying to please others and place others before himself.
“That is why it was not such a shock for me when he responded to the call on Friday, he knew that the woman was only a lady inside the house with her children.
“He rushed there before his other colleagues could join him because he knew the area and he knew the community and the area that he patrols and I think the neighbourhood and others can attest to that, he knew them.
“He went in there selfless, irrespective of what comes, he just wanted to make sure that lady and her children were fine.
“He was very passionate about his work and he kept to his oath to protect and to uphold and to serve his community.
“He believed family came first.” Abrahams said Bottomley relocated to Cape Town from the Eastern Cape in 2014 and started his career in armed response, which he loved ever since.
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, confirmed police had yet to make an arrest in the murder, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Wayne Montgomery, manager of Pro-Sec Technologies, said they have since offered support to the family of Bottomley and the victims whom he saved.
He said they could not disclose anything about the case as it was at a sensitive stage and noted the public’s questions about the incident.
“All that we can say at this stage is that he started off as a rookie and he worked his way up to one of our unit guys,” said Montgomery.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we are unable to give out more information as we do not want to jeopardise the case.
“We are providing the necessary support to the family in Bergvliet, they are safe and unharmed.”
Earlier, the Kirstenhof Community Policing Forum (CPF) also appealed for information about the incident to ensure the suspect would be arrested.
Anyone with information can anonymously call Crime Stop on 0860010111.