Lasco Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Linroy Edwards overcome with joy, removes his kerchief from his pocket to wipe his tears. Cheering on Sergeant Edwards are Sergeant Gary McKenzie, (left) first runner-up of the top cop, Constable Oliver Livingston, of the Monitoring Bureau, top cop finalist; and Constable Julio Francis, second runner-up. Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

From murder accused in 2001 to top cop six years later. It's been quite a ride for Sergeant Linroy Edwards.

At an elaborate function, with all the trappings of a fabulous event, Sergeant Linroy Edwards of the Special Anti-Crime Task Force was yesterday named Lasco Police Officer of the Year for 2006-2007.

When the "top cop" was announced, Sergeant Edwards, an 18-year veteran of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), openly shed tears of joy before colleagues and well wishers in a packed ballroom at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

"I was so surprised because the other contestants were equally qualified and deserving of the award," said Sergeant Edwards, who in 1998 was shot and injured in the line of duty.

Among the incentives for being awarded top cop, Sergeant Edwards received $200,000 and a trophy. First runner-up was Sergeant Gary McKenzie of the Traffic Division. He received $100,000, while Constable Julio Francis of Area Two was second runner-up and collected $50,000.

Tried for murder

Sergeant Edwards was among six members of the Crime Management Unit (CMU), who were tried for murder in connection with the death of seven youth in a house in Braeton, St. Catherine, in March, 2001.

They were found not guilty in the Home Circuit Court in February, 2005.

While the Lasco/JCF Officer of the Year award function was a celebratory event, those present could not forget that, just hours before, Detective Corporal Dave Daley, was gunned down.

Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, before delivering his prepared comments, asked for a minute of silence for the slain cop.

Commissioner Thomas said that the top cop award function could not have been held at a more opportune time as it would boost the morale of the JCF. "(The award) has demonstrated that creative means can be found to improve professionalism within the force," he said.

Professor E. Nigel Harris, vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Mona, in delivering the keynote address said that the role of the police had evolved significantly.

Today's officers have to be battling against drugs and armaments traffickers, terrorism and other forms of cross-border activity, he said.