"He Would Never Say He Feels Like A Hero."

• 9.11.2026, 8:42

Friends shared a touching account of the police officer who neutralized a terrorist in Krakow.

Polish police officer Jakub Kulik is fighting for his life in a Krakow hospital. He, along with another police officer, Artur Moranski, subdued the attacker Michał O. in Kraków. “Jakub simply did his duty as best he could. He’s always been that way. He’d never say he feels like a hero. He’ll say: I did what had to be done. He’s just an ordinary guy,” says his colleague from the Leszczyny Volunteer Fire Department (OSP) in Bielsko-Biała Krzysztof Cymerman.

Jakub Kulik is one of two police officers who, risking their lives, apprehended the 24-year-old assailant. When Michał O. was speeding through the streets of Kraków, they gave chase. At one of the intersections, they got out of their patrol car and opened fire at him, ignoring the fact that the man was shooting at them. Three bullets struck Kulik. He fell onto the road next to the car. Passersby and surgeons who happened to be nearby rushed to his aid. Doctors fought for his life for many hours. He is currently in very serious but stable condition.

Before joining the police, Jakub Kulik was a member of the Leszczyna Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Bielsko-Biała. He also served in the 18th Bielsko Airborne Battalion. Journalists from wp.pl managed to contact his comrades.

He’s been helping out since his school days

Jakub Kulik joined the fire department while still a teenager. When he was in high school, firefighters gave a presentation to his class. He was so impressed that he went to the nearest station and signed up as a volunteer. At first, he served on the youth team, and at age 18, he completed his training to become a firefighter.

“He caught the firefighting bug and joined us when he was very young. He always responded to every emergency—fires, floods, and clearing windfall.” Three or four years ago, he began serving with the police in Kraków, but every time he came home to Bielsko, he would always stop by to see us. Whenever there was a need—whenever an incident occurred—he continued to help. “He has valid medical clearances, so he can continue to participate in our calls,” says Krzysztof Cymmerman of the Leszczyny Volunteer Fire Department.

He emphasizes: “He’s just a regular guy. He wanted to help, and he did. He didn’t expect anything in return, not even any awards. He carried out all his firefighting duties as required. He never missed an incident if he was on the scene.”

Jakub Kulik had one goal—to help those in need. On his own initiative, he taught local residents how to behave and act in dangerous situations. He also helped train the youth fire brigade.

“I never thought our colleague would find himself in such a dangerous situation, but then again, knowing Jakub, he didn’t even hesitate. He did what he’d been taught to do. He’s been doing that ever since I’ve known him,” emphasizes Tsymerman.

Others could count on him

OSP Leshchiny President Vladislav Shypula confirms that Kulik is still a member of their unit. “He’s just a regular guy. But he’s very determined and well-trained. He never hesitates. If something needs to be done, he just does it. He’s friendly and always ready to help. He’s very active on calls. Other firefighters could always count on him. In the fire department, just like in the police, people have to rely on and support one another. And you could always count on Yakuba. He never left anyone behind. As soon as he saw that something was wrong, he’d go right over and help,” says the head of the Leshchiny OSP.

Shypula says that Yakuba Kulik is very well-liked. He always has a smile on his face. The firefighters from his unit, unable to sit idly by, went to donate blood—just to do something. The president went to the station early that morning. He keeps commemorative photos from various celebrations there. Among them is a photo of Jakub Kulik with his autograph. “I actually got a tear in my eye when I looked at that photo. I’m convinced that for Jakub, what he did in Kraków wasn’t some great heroic act. He simply did his duty as best he could. He’s always been that way. He’d surely never call himself a hero or feel like one. He’d say: ‘I did what had to be done.’ That’s all. He knew what he was doing, and he did it deliberately. He always acted decisively,” says the unit commander.

As soon as the opportunity arises, his colleagues from the OSP want to visit Jakub Kulik. “We want to pay our respects to him. I know he doesn’t see it that way, but to us, he’s a hero. God willing, he’ll make a full recovery,” says Shypula.