Retired Detective Ben O'Sullivan, who survived an IRA gun attack in Adare 26 years ago, has died in Limerick at the age of 76.
The attack on the morning of 7 June 1996 killed his friend and colleague Detective Jerry McCabe.
They were accompanying a post office cash van when they were attacked by an IRA gang of four men.
Detective McCabe was shot dead and Detective O'Sullivan was seriously wounded.
Four men were subsequently given prison sentences for the attack.
Detective O'Sullivan was given the Freedom of Limerick in June 2018 and it was awarded posthumously to Detective McCabe.
He said it was an honour he would cherish for the rest of his life and said he "only wished that his dear friend could have been with him to accept it".
The flag is flying at half-mast at Henry Street Station in Limerick today and a book of condolence has been opened there.
Limerick Chief Superintendent Gerry Roche paid tribute to the retired detective, as a "Scott medal recipient, an inspiration, a garda hero and a gentleman".
Detective O'Sullivan, who had been ill for a short time, is survived by his wife Anne, his son and two daughters.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said it was with great sadness that "we have learnt of the death of our friend and former colleague".
In a statement, he said: "On behalf of An Garda Síochána, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Detective Garda O'Sullivan's wife Anne, their four children, John, Marianne, Evelyn and Aoife, and their extended family and friends."
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: "In this centenary year of An Garda Síochána, there is little doubt that Ben O'Sullivan represented the very best of its values, service and bravery.
"Twice awarded a Gold Scott medal, Ben served his country with great courage and valour, selflessly taking on the burden of protecting all of us from danger. We thank him for his unstinting service and we mourn his passing," she said.
Minister McEntee said the "horrific attack on Ben and his partner", the late Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, on 7 June 1996 was "one of the most sickening attacks on Garda members in the history of the State".
She said while Detective McCabe's life was taken instantly, "Ben was shot eleven times and left with serious injuries along with the devastating loss of his great friend".
Meanwhile, the President of the Garda Representative Association also paid tribute to Detective O'Sullivan.
In a statement Frank Thornton said: "When our members speak the name of Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan it is with great affection, respect and admiration.
"He will forever be remembered as an inspiring, resilient and courageous figure among the membership and his death is being felt by all of us at this sad time."
Mr Thornton said that Ben O'Sullivan began his garda career in 1964 and "was present at one of the very darkest days of our organisation but his heroic actions in the line of duty on that day will remain an inspiration for all who he served alongside and had the pleasure of knowing him".
He described Detective O'Sullivan as "a Scott Medal recipient, a revered colleague and most of all, a true gentleman".
