GPF honours 65 Police ranks killed while performing duties

– Minister Benn urges Police Force to rededicate itself to serve and protect

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Sunday paid homage to the 65 policemen and women who died in the line of duty at a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument for Fallen Heroes, Police Officers’ Mess Compound, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The event was observed as part of the GPF’s 183rd anniversary celebration.
During his opening remarks, Deputy Commissioner Administration (ag) Calvin Brutus related that the event is in its 21st year and is being held in memory of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of dying in the line of duty to ensure public security is maintained.

“It is a significant occasion because had it not been for their sacrifices we will not be here standing, celebrating this occasion and remembering their sacrifice and contribution to the security landscape in Guyana.”
As a mark of respect, a 21-gun salute was executed while the Police Military Band sounded the Last Post after which a moment of silence was observed followed by another 21-gun salute and the Reveille.
During the event, wreaths were laid by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken along with his deputy commissioners, commanders and other high-ranking officials of the Force with widows, children, relatives and friends of the fallen heroes.

The Minister in his address lauded the efforts being made by the Fallen Heroes Foundation to support the families of those policemen and women who would have died in the line of duty, especially with respect to the ambitions of the children of the fallen heroes.
“Why would policemen stand up, face the danger, not run away…but perhaps lay down and made the supreme sacrifice. They were defending and building and creating the environment for a better and greater Guyana for ourselves and for all Guyanese,” Minister Benn asserted.
Bearing in mind the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen heroes, Minister Benn urged the Force to rededicate itself to duty, not forgetting the dangers posed from time to time.

The Minister also solemnly spoke of the critical period when policemen were killed in the line of duty, the days he termed “dark days”, and expressed sympathy to the family members of those killed.
Further, he added, “I want to identify that, in my view with the continuing service, the fallen heroes will be and must continue to be proud of us in the Guyana Police Force and proud and satisfied that their sacrifice would not go in vain,” Minister Benn posited.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Hicken emphasised that safety and security are precious gifts that benefit all of the citizens, while noting that too often little thought is given to the price paid for them.
In 2002, the Guyana Police Force, under the tenure of the then Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis, established the Monument of Fallen Heroes that is dedicated to the memory of members of the Force killed in the line of duty.
The Top Cop noted that “the monument serves as a place of reflection, honour, tribute, and communal gathering for the family, friends, fellow colleagues, and the nation of the fallen”.
This, he lamented, is in light of the fact that, as Police officers are frequently exposed to life-threatening situations, not only to themselves but also to the grieving relatives of the deceased.
“Moreover, we frequently lose fellow officers to on-duty deaths and lasting, career-ending injuries, which can negatively impact our health and wellbeing. Henceforth, being a Police officer takes commitment as we must be able to maintain mental and moral strength to resist opposition, and fairness of mind to protect the nation in the line of fire and must stand by our fellow officers in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.”
The Guyana Police Force, he stated, recognised the importance of honouring the fallen heroes through its Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc, which was established in 2015 in collaboration with the Cops and Faith Community Network.
The Foundation provides benefits to families whose members have died in the line of duty. Such benefits include providing welfare support to families of ranks who died in the line of duty; providing financial assistance to the families of ranks who died in the line of duty; providing educational assistance to children of ranks who died in the line of duty who are under the age of 18.
Hicken noted that “through our gratitude and respect for our fallen members, the Guyana Police Force will continue to provide ‘benevolent benefits’ to the immediate family of deceased ranks; take responsibility for the wake for deceased ranks, and take responsibility for the funeral for deceased ranks”.
“As we pay tribute to the fallen heroes, let us also rededicate ourselves to upholding the passion and purpose they so bravely fought for and died for, so that others might live. Let us keep faith with their service and sacrifice by renewing our own commitment to the Guyana Police Force motto, ‘Service and Protection’. So once again, my sincere condolences to the husbands, wives, parents, children, siblings, friends, and fellow officers, all of those here today who have been touched by the lives we honour. You have been called upon to bear a special burden. And, though there is no speech that can ease your pain, no tribute or salute, we honour their courage and ask you to fill your hearts with our nation’s gratitude.
Chairman of the Guyana Police Force Fallen Heroes Foundation, Bishop Dr Raphael Massiah in his remarks commended the Guyana Police Force for the solemnity for which this occasion was organised.
During the ceremony, words of comfort were offered to the relatives and friends of the ranks killed in the line of duty by the Police Force Chaplain, Pastor Patrick Doolichand.
Also attending the ceremony were National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Heads of the Disciplined Services, Former Police Commissioner Floyd Mc Donald, senior officers and other ranks and other retired senior officers of the Guyana Police Force.