Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
THOMAS
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
PRAISES, commendation and even blessings from above showered down upon Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, recently when he made his historic journey back home to his native district of Murray Mountain in south-west St Ann in his new capacity as head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The four-hour long home-coming service and commendation ceremony held at the Bethlehem United Missionary Baptist Church in Murray Mountain was more like a hero's welcome for the first member of the poor and almost forgotten farming community to have brought fame to the area.
HAPPY WITH RISE
Convenor, Reverend J.H. Aljoe said the homecoming celebration was planned to allow community members to express to the commissioner how happy they were with his rise to such high office after coming from humble beginnings.
Accompanied by nearly the entire top brass of the JCF and a host of other rank and file members, Commissioner Thomas was warmly greeted on his arrival and was obviously overwhelmed by the outpouring of praise by the hundreds who were in attendance.
Many remembered him going to school barefooted and always studying his books. He was seemingly admired most for his good manners and behaviour, and his determination to achieve good in life.
Custos of St. Ann Radcliffe Walters who headed the list of worshippers, said that while the outpouring of praise was good, one of the most fitting tributes to Commissioner Thomas was for the residents to make Murray Mountain a crime-free community.
Member of Parliament for South West St. Ann, Ernest Smith said the Commissioner has made not only Murray Mountain proud, but that the entire constituency and the wider St. Ann share in the joy of his achievement.
IMPACT ON CRIME REDUCTION
Mr. Smith told the commissioner that while he would always be remembered as a great son of St. Ann, he hoped he would be even more honoured to go down into
history as the one who was able to have the best impact on crime reduction.
In his tribute, retired High Court Judge, Granville James, said Mr. Thomas' rise from a poor family and community to the head of the police force was a prime example for children in the area to learn what could be achieved in the face of difficult circumstances.
Schoolmate Hector Diedrick said Commissioner Thomas was destined to go into law enforcement because he came from a family which was very keen in upholding the law in the community in the early years.
Pastor Sam Chambers of the Seventh-day Church of God who delivered the sermon said it was incumbent on parents to bring up their children in the proper manner so that they could make good of themselves in adult life.
DEDICATED TO SLAIN COPS
Commissioner Thomas, in his response, thanked the organisers and members of the community for honouring him in such a manner. He said he regretted that his late mother was not present to share in the memorable moment.
He said there were others who were also deserving of being honoured and he dedicated the entire service to the honour of the members of the police force who were slain by criminals in recent weeks.
