Members of the Jamaica Constabulary at the graveside yesterday of their slain colleague, Corporal Headley Davis, as they prepare to fold the national flag in which his casket was draped throughout the funeral service. The thanksgiving service took place at Duxex Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Point Hill, St. Catherine. Cpl. Davis was buried at Dovecot Memorial Park. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer SERGEANT DAVID White, chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, lashed out yesterday against local and international human rights groups, during his tribute at the funeral of slain Police Corporal Headley Davis.
Cpl. Davis was shot dead by gunmen on July 25, during a robbery he walked into at a hardware store on Slipe Road, Kingston. His killers took his pistol and an undetermined amount of money. Two men have since been arrested in connection with the killing.
"Human rights groups must stop painting the picture of us police, as if we are the enemy. If they are really human rights group, what are their concerns about the elderly, young children and other innocent persons killed this year and before?" he asked.
21-GUN SALUTE
Also, he called on politicians to put the fight against crime on the top of their agenda.
Cpl. Davis was laid to rest with full police honours yesterday afternoon. After getting an official 21-gun salute from his colleagues, he was buried at Dovecot Memorial Park, St. Catherine.
Draped in the national flag, his casket stood at the front of the packed Duxex Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Point Hill, St. Catherine, with his cap and belt displayed on top.
His best friend, Sergeant Alvin Allen, delivered the eulogy. Cpl. Davis, affectionately called 'Debo' by his colleagues, was eulogised as a "brave soldier" who was caring and dedicated to the Police Force.
COPS WILL STAND FIRM
At the time of his death he was assigned to Spring Mount Police Station, St. James.
Supt. Newton Amos, head of the St. James Police Division, told the congregation that despite the many brutal attacks on the police, they were not going to surrender the country to criminals.
"If they think that they are going to continue to shoot us cowardly from behind and get away, then they better think again. We will never ever retreat," Supt. Amos warned.
Also, he criticised persons who witnessed crimes but did not report them. He said there was a sub-culture of violence sweeping the island and the silent majority should stand up and join the fight against crime.
