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JCF honours its fallen colleagues

Published:Monday | November 29, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Constable Ramon Blair collects a rose from Sergeant Emelia Ellis-Service in memory of policemen and women who died on and off duty over the last year during the Jamaica Constabulary Force Area 4 annual commemorative and memorial service at the St Peter's Church in Port Royal yesterday. - Ian Allen/Photographer
Constable Alison Holness, attached to the Negril Police Station in Westmoreland, lays a rose in memory of Deputy Superintendent Herfa Beckford, one of the 48 policemen and women who died between November 28, 2009 and yesterday. Holness was participating in the Jamaica Constabulary Force's 148th annual commemorative and memorial service, held at the Wesley Methodist Church in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, yesterday. - Photo by Noel Thompson
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Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A mood of sombreness enveloped the room of the Wesley Methodist Church in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, yesterday as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) held its annual commemorative and memorial service.

Sadness and grief was etched on the policemen's and women's faces, as they trailed one after the other to lay roses on a small wooden table adjacent to the rostrum in memory of their fallen colleagues.

A total of 48 red roses were laid - 16 in memory of those who died in the line of duty and the remaining number in remembrance of those who died under other circumstances.

There was not one moment of jesting at this stage. Officers laying the roses were attired in their ceremonial garb - their fists clenched tightly and, as they saluted, the sound of their boots stomping the ground was all that broke the deafening silence in the room.

As the flowers were being laid, an interlude of inspiring music played softly from the speaker boxes at the four corners of the church room and there were a few sniffles from colleagues, apparently signalling the pain and hurt they felt deep within at the passing of their colleagues.

Delivering a message, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington said: "Today, we honour our members who have fallen as they carried out their duties to make lives better and safer. We light the darkness with the memories and glories of those who died in the service of their neighbours, their communities and our nation."

Ellington's message, which was read by Denver Frater, assistant commissioner in charge of Area One, continued: "Their brave souls are among us, they are carried brightly in our hearts in gratitude, in joy and in sorrow."

Ellington said the deceased officers knew where they stood and claimed their ground with dignity and pride, describing them as members of a special breed, passionately devoted to a profession that is more of a calling than a vocation.

He said to honour the fallen policemen's legacy officers must show courage, integrity and responsibility in their service.

"We can never repay our debt to them, but we must not forget, and we must do justice to their memories," Ellington said.

noel.thompson@gleanerjm.com