Foundation brightens Christmas for fallen heroes’ families
The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Fallen Heroes Foundation (FHF) continues to provide assistance to the families of Policemen and women killed in the line of duty. This time, the Foundation brightened the Christmas holidays for seven families.
Some of the recipients along with the members of the Fallen Heroes Foundations
A total of $450,000 was presented to the families by FHF Vice President, Professor Winston McGowan on Tuesday morning at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, FHF Chairman, Pastor Raphael Massiah, noted that since the establishment of the Foundation two years ago, they have been able to provide assistance to children under18 years, whose fathers lost their lives while on duty. To date, some 25 children have benefited from the initiative, with assistance and support in the areas of welfare and education.
“We serve, we travel wherever these members are and we try to find out the issues they are faced with. Today we deliver what we hope will be some measure of support to the members of the Fallen Heroes Foundation. We try to do what we have to do with a human hand and as much as possible, so you can know that, not just the Police Force, but the entire nation, is indebted for the service of your loved one,” the Chairman remarked. He went on to reflect on the dignity and respect with which men and women in uniform are treated overseas and the preferential treatment they get, adding that while Guyana is a long way from such a culture, this initiative is a step in the right direction to recognise those fallen heroes, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country, even after they are gone.
“You might be reflecting on your loved ones, we can’t replace them but we want to come side by side with you and your children at this time,” Pastor Massiah told the partners of the slain ranks. According to the GPF, some 64 Police officers were killed in the line of fire since 1913, with nine of them having lost their lives from 2010 to date. The most recent law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were Constable Antonio Dawson who was stabbed in September 2015 while apprehending a suspect at Gafoors Complex at Houston, Greater Georgetown, and Leonard La Rose who was also stabbed while arresting a suspect who was wanted for rape at Mathews Ridge.
La Rose’s reputed wife, with whom he shared three children, was among the recipients of the monetary assistance on Tuesday. She told reporters that while she has been coping since her reputed husband’s death back in March, it has been difficult.
Nevertheless, she said she is grateful for the assistance provided by the Fallen Heroes Foundation, noting that this is her second time receiving it.
At a memorial wreath laying ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen Policemen and women back in July, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had disclosed that the Foundation had managed to collect some $2.7 million from each divisional commander so far.
This amount is separate from the donations given by Government officials, including President David Granger, and members of the business community. “The suffering of the spouses and children of these men and women who were killed in the line of duty often times go unnoticed, therefore I assure you all that there will be greater economic support to these families,” the Police Commissioner had stated as he called for a national day to be set aside to remember its fallen heroes.
