Hero Officer’s Wife Gives Birth After His Death

In the shadow of grief, a new life has emerged in Israel one carrying the name, legacy, and unbreakable bond of a fallen hero.

Last week, Chen Pibenev gave birth to a son, Adam, just eight months after her husband, Israel Police Sgt. Igor Pibenev, ended his life in May 2025. Igor had fought alone during the October 7, 2023 attacks, killing 13 terrorists in a desperate bid to protect Israeli civilians, before succumbing to the psychological trauma he carried in the aftermath.

The timing of the birth closes an emotional circle. Chen discovered she was pregnant during the shiva mourning period following Igor’s death. The child was conceived roughly two and a half weeks before the tragedy.

Adam is the couple’s first son, following three daughters. His brit milah (circumcision) was held on Wednesday, surrounded by close friends who stepped in to organize the ceremony in the absence of his father.

“I was in shock during the delivery,” Chen shared. “But he fills the loneliness. He doesn’t give me a chance to be by myself.” She described the bittersweet mix of emotions welcoming new life while still grieving her partner and the father of her children.

Despite initially fearing the resemblance, Chen now says Adam looks strikingly like Igor a comforting presence and a daily reminder of the man she loved. The baby has also brought renewed energy to his sisters, who have taken to caring for their little brother with pride and affection.

“Igor would’ve been thrilled,” she reflected, recalling how he once resisted the idea of a fourth child, joking about sleepless nights. “But I know he would have gotten up for him every night, telling me to sleep.”

Speaking candidly before the brit, Chen described the moment as emotionally overwhelming both in sorrow and in strength. Surrounded by a supportive community, she was able to find grounding in tradition, even without her husband by her side.

With poignant honesty, she addressed the man she lost. “You bastard, look what you did to me. I’m at the brit alone,” she said with a tearful smile. “What a shame that you’re not here. See what you’re missing.”

Adam will grow up knowing who his father was not just as a name, but through the stories, bravery, and love shared by those who served with Igor and stood by his family in the darkest times.

Israel remembers Sgt. Igor Pibenev not only for his courage on October 7, when he stood alone against terror, but also for the family he left behind a family that carries on with dignity, love, and hope.

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