Police say farewell to colleague

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

THE JAMAICA Constabulary Force will today say farewell to one of its front-line crime fighters, Winthorpe Michael Riley, formerly of the Flying Squad unit in downtown Kingston.

Riley, who was ailing for some time, died on December 10 last year. The funeral will held today at the Portmore Gospel Assembly, Portmore Drive, St Catherine, with interment in the Sunset Burial Park, Shooters Hill, St Andrew.

"He was a tower of strength, a real soldier," commented Superintendent Cornwall 'Bigga' Ford, who was his immediate supervisor.

Retired Senior Superintendent Hector 'Bingi' White, one of the officers who played an integral role in his career as a young cop, described him as a "tireless, hard-working and fearless policeman.

"He was somebody who gives more than 100 per cent, always willing and eager to learn," the retired officer said.

Before joining the police force, the detective sergeant did a short stint with the Department of Correctional Services. He spent most of his early years at the Mobile Reserve. He was also one of the original members of the Special Anti-Crime Task Force, formerly Anti-Crime Investigation Detachment.

"We are saddened by his passing, he was an important member of the Alpha team. His investigative skills helped him to win the Detective-of-the-Year award in the St Thomas Division where he used to worked about seven years ago," Detective Sergeant Michael Malcolm told The Gleaner.

The detective is survived by his widow Yvonne, children Winthorpe Jr, Dwayne, Chad, Rasheeda and Tasha.