Steven Averbach, originally from New Jersey, made aliyah at the age of 16. He served three years in the army and then joined the anti-terrorism unit of the Israeli police where he served for 22 years. In 2006 and 2008 Averbach went on a tour in the US to help raise funds for Project Tikvah, a Maccabi World Union program that helps children disabled by terror attacks.
He was on his way to work and as he got on the bus he saw a suspicious looking Orthodox Jew who had a bulge in his Jacket. Because of his anti-terrorist training he knew the man was a suicide bomber. He drew his sidearm and the terrorist detonated the bomb killing seven and injuring 20. It was concluded that Averbach had thwarted an attempted attack in the center of Jerusalem. Steven Averbach died on June 3, 2010, succumbing to injuries suffered in the May 18, 2003 suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem, near the French Hill neighborhood.
He is survived by his wife, Julie, four sons, Adam, Sean Devir and Tamir, and his parents Dr. David and Maida Averbach.
