Israeli Police Officer Walter Gains Viral Fame After Locating Missing Mother and Daughter in South America

Walter Alejandro Cogan, an Israeli police officer serving as Israel's law enforcement attaché in South America, recently became a viral sensation after successfully locating missing Israeli mother Mally and her daughter Lial Yehulomi. The two had traveled from Israel to Prague, then Vienna, Frankfurt, and finally Buenos Aires, sparking nationwide concern over their disappearance and fears of a nationalist terror incident.

In a video released by the Israeli police, Walter, who previously served as an intelligence and investigations officer in Arad, is heard speaking to Mally and Lial in Hebrew aboard a bus, reassuring them and confirming their safety. This footage quickly spread online, inspiring memes and widespread public interest. Walter’s role as a police attaché involves coordinating intelligence and operational cooperation with law enforcement agencies across multiple countries in Latin America.

Walter’s background includes handling high-profile property crimes and sensitive investigations in Israel before his promotion to deputy commissioner and appointment abroad. His current duties focus on diplomatic liaison, combating transnational crime such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking, and facilitating legal and investigative cooperation between Israel and foreign authorities.

His work includes regular meetings with police officials in countries like Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, strengthening bilateral security ties. For example, in April 2025, Walter met with Argentine police to share expertise on security systems and recovery of stolen property. More recently, he engaged with Interpol representatives in Paraguay to enhance border control strategies.

Following a brief questioning that confirmed no criminal suspicions, Walter allowed Mally and Lial to continue their journey, marking a successful conclusion to a case that had captured Israeli public attention. Walter’s calm professionalism and Hebrew greeting aboard the bus unexpectedly turned him into a beloved figure on social media.