Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Grieving family members of Constable Clayton Salmon, whose body was recovered from a well in March Pen, St. Catherine last night, are comforted by a police officer. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
THE BODY of 27-year-old police constable Clayton Salmon was recovered yesterday afternoon from an abandoned well in the March Pen area of St. Catherine.
Reports from the police are that, about 3:00 p.m., acting on information, they proceeded to an area in March Pen known as Spanish Villa. On their arrival, the policeman's nude body was seen in the 30-foot abandoned well.
POST MORTEM TODAY
The police sought assistance from the Fire Brigade to retrieve the body which was in an advanced stage of decomposition. The body was removed for post mortem to be conducted today.
As news of the discovery spread, scores of police personnel from around the island converged on the scene under the leadership of George Williams, Assistant Commissioner in charge of crime.
Mr. Williams told The Gleaner that it was a very sad situation. He promised that the police would be doing all in their power to complete the investigations as quickly as possible. The location where the body was found is an isolated area behind the Tamarind Farm Prison. There was evidence of freshly burnt grass and several bags of discarded pampers were seen strewn about suggesting the area was being used by individuals.
Mr. Salmon's licensed firearm, which he was carrying on January 27 when he went missing, has not been recovered.
At the time of his death he had served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for seven years. He was attached to the Hannah Town Police Station in Kingston. Yesterday, several persons expressed sadness on the manner in which the lawman's life was snuffed out.
