Afghan teen who dreamed of being Calgary cop killed by suspected drunk driver

Shiraz Shermohammad dreamed of becoming a police officer to give back to Calgary, 11 years after moving to Canada from Afghanistan with his parents and four siblings.

That will never happen.

Two-and-a-half weeks ago,just four days after his 19th birthdayand shortly after being accepted into Bow Valley College's law enforcement program,Shiraz was killed by a suspected drunk driver.

"Honestly, the grieving process is so hard," said Tanaz Shermohammad, the oldest sibling. "My mom is very,very emotional because she was the closest person to my brother."

Shiraz, his mother, his father and one of his sisters were in the family's car just after midnight onOct. 23 when they were hit by aDodge Journeydriven by a 28-year-old woman who failed to stop at the intersectionof Country Hills Boulevard atMtis Trail N.E.

The woman was arrested at the scene but released pending the results of an investigation. Police said at the time they believe speed and alcohol may have been factors.

Shiraz's parents and his sister remain in hospital with extensive injuries.

Father couldn't attend funeral

The family was already dealing with significant hurdles his motherrecently had surgery for thyroid cancer andthe injured sister has autism,requiring asignificantamount of care.

Tanazhas assumed the role of head of the family andis now fielding questions from doctors and nurses, dealing with police investigators, filling out paperwork and driving other family members to the hospital to visit her parents and sister.

Last week, a funeral was held for Shiraz but his father and sister could not leave the hospitalto attend.

With her parents still in hospital and Tanaz off work to take care of the family, the Shermohammads are struggling.

"Financially we've been really on the down side," said Tanaz.

A dream of a Canadian education

When the Shermohammads moved to Canada from Afghanistan in 2005, the parents envisioned a bright future for their children.

"Education was the biggest thing; being able to study," said Tanaz of her parents' motivation in coming to this country.

"Being fortunate to be in Canada and being given that opportunity to become something and to have a career was a big deal for [Shiraz], and being a cop he wanted to be that."

Though Tanazis not angry with the woman who was driving the car, she said her family has been torn apart.

'His motive was to help others'

"It hurts. If people have the money to drink, then they should definitely have the money to take a ride in a cab," said Tanaz.

"It's not fair that someone else has to lose their life."

Even though Shiraz was younger, Tanaz said he was like an older brother to her.

"He was the greatest help you could find, someone who you could always go to if you had a rough day."

Shiraz wanted to finish his education debt-free so he had recently started a new job working in a warehouse to save for his school fees.

"His motive was to help others," said Tanaz. "He wanted to help the community."

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