Jean Castex will chair Tuesday at 3 p.m., in Avignon, a national tribute ceremony to the police officer killed in this city.

A 36-year-old brigadier, Eric Masson, died Wednesday during an intervention against a drug trafficking point, arousing great emotion in the ranks of the police. 

Prime Minister Jean Castex will preside at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in Avignon, a national tribute ceremony to the policeman killed in this city, Matignon announced on Sunday without further details.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin will participate in the ceremony, it was specified.

A crowd of police and Avignon gathered on Sunday in front of the Avignon police station in tribute to the 36-year-old brigadier, Eric Masson, killed Wednesday during an intervention against a drug trafficking point.

The local police evoked a national tribute Tuesday to the prefecture of Vaucluse.

Strong emotion in the ranks of the police

Called Wednesday on a well-known drug trafficking point, in the historic center of Avignon, the police officers of the Vaucluse-Gard departmental intervention brigade, in civilian clothes, including Eric Masson, had carried out the control of a client "of which looked like an exchange of narcotics ", according to the prosecutor Philippe Guémas.

While the woman had just been arrested by the two policemen, "two individuals came forward (...) and one of the two, carrying a shoulder bag, (them) asked what they were doing there. ", explained Philippe Guémas.

"Eric Masson declined his status as a police officer and the individual took out a handgun and fired twice, hitting him in the chest and abdomen".

The policeman died on the spot.