The following condolences to the families of the policemen murdered last week were posted online at www.jamaica-gleaner.com, The Gleaner's website.
I feel
your pain
As a former police assistant chaplain who has grieved with many a widow, child and colleague, I feel the pain borne by the families of our latest police murder victims, the pain borne by their surviving colleagues and the pain borne by decent Jamaicans.
As one who has driven marked police vehicles, I feel a sense of solidarity with the men and women who, simply by the act of donning their uniform and doing their duty, expose themselves to extreme danger, as did those whose loss we mourn.
I pray that the Lord would give the strength, comfort, peace and even the personal freedom and power that come from offering forgiveness, to the widows of Inspector Lascelles Walsh, Corporal Hewitt Chandler, and District Constable Canute Brown, their relatives and colleagues. And may their colleagues, even in their grief and mourning, find the power to do the work of continuing to protect their thankless communities and themselves.
Rev. Michael Friday
rev_manfriday@hotmail.com
USA
May they
find peace
I am saddened by the barbarism that has taken hold on my little island of Jamaica. My heartfelt condolence to the families of the slain policemen. May they find peace and comfort in knowing that a lot of law-abiding Jamaicans stand behind the security forces.
Melvin Fraser
mrfny@yahoo.com
U.S.A.
My deepest
condolences
My condolences for the slain officers. I hope that their killers will be caught and made as examples to deter those who are determined to destroy our nation that we are so proud of.
Karl Singh
karl_singh@hotmail.com
United Kingdom
May the Lord be with you
My condolences to the families of the two security guards and the three policemen who were killed, especially to the family of Inspector Lascelles Walsh whom I have known for over 20 years. To his wife, Donna, may the Lord be with you and the children.
Olive Ellis
olive.ellis@gkco.com
Jamaica
Our prayers are with you
My deep and sincere condolences to the families of the slain police officers in Jamaica. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Michael Espeut
espeut@rogers.com
Canada
God will give you strength
To all the family, friends, and colleagues of the policemen and security guards who were brutally murdered, my sincere condolences to you all. I pray that God will give you the strength to cope during this difficult time.
Marjorie Shepherd
julyemargo@hotmail.com
U.S.A.
They did not die in vain
As an ex-police officer/immigration officer of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, I have always been proud of the organisation I served in, but more so my country.
I take this time to express my most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the officers slain recently. The JCF is a fraternity of dedicated people who brave the adversities day and night. As a brother of the JCF, I want to encourage the families and friends of the fallen officers to take comfort in knowing that your loved one did not die in vain. Take comfort in knowing that it takes a special human being to face the dangers that come with the job of a constable, and your loved one is no doubt among the brave, the courageous, the peace-loving, and the stalwarts of our society.
Your loved one died for the cause of peace and justice. If no one steps out and stands up for the rights of the people of Jamaica, we will all continue to live in fear, and without freedom. Your loved one sacrificed his life for all law-abiding Jamaicans and you should feel honoured at this time to be connected to a special human being indeed.
You are not alone in your pain, despair and tears. In the midst of all of this I encourage you to never let the thugs take your dreams, your happiness, your courage, your determination, your strive for peace and justice, your will to live fearlessly, and your effort to achieve, away from you.
Norman Johnson
decoy1@hotmail.com
U.S.A.
Don't give up
My deepest condolences to the policemen and security guards who have lost their lives so gruesomely. I read The Gleaner every day and I realise my country has gone to the dogs. To me, it seems like the Government of the day is helpless to what is happening around them.
Jamaicans, please don't give up on praying for the people and the nation in general. you all need to weed out those killers from the society.
O. Shaw
ops@tciway.tc
Turks and Caicos Island
Our sincere sympathy
Our family would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the slain officers families and the people of Jamaica who now have a huge void to be filled.
Lastan Talib Forbes
lastan@excite.com
Durham, U.S.A.
