Tributes are pouring in for a French police officer who died saving the lives of hostages in a supermarket siege by an Islamist gunman. Lt-Col Arnaud Beltrame, 44, a decorated Iraq war veteran, was shot and stabbed after he traded places with one of the captives following a shooting spree in southern France. French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to the officer, saying that Col Beltrame "fell as a hero" after showing "exceptional courage and selflessness", adding that he deserved "the respect and admiration of the whole nation.” UK PM Theresa May said the "sacrifice and courage" of the police officer would not be forgotten. His actions helped bring an end to the siege that left three people dead. The radical Islamist gunman, 25-year-old Redouane Lakdim, was eventually shot and killed by police. Sixteen people were injured, two seriously, in what Mr Macron called an act of "Islamist terrorism. Flags are being flown at half-mast at gendarmerie bases across France.