Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
Two more policemen added to list as Force honour fallen heroes
Kaieteur News – The names of two policemen were engraved this year on the Monument for Fallen heroes, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) honoured their fallen heroes with a wreath laying ceremony on Sunday in its Officers’ Mess Hall compound at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn paying his tri but to the fallen heroes on Sunday
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken preparing to lay his wreath
Chairman of the Fallen Heroes Foundation: Raphael Massiah
Speaking at the ceremony, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn said “I noted that for this year so far two police persons were added to the number and this ceremony, this remembrance is fresh again in our minds with respect to those fallen in the line of duty”
One of those individuals who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty this year is a 31-year-old detective, Corporal Dwayne McPherson. McPherson was shot dead along with a civilian during the wee hours of New Year’s Day, while responding to a report of an incident at Grove Huntley, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The shooter was reportedly McPherson’s colleague, who is currently before the court facing two counts of a manslaughter charge.
Another cop identified as Corporal Alden Reynolds, 40, was killed on “Mash Day” (February 23) after a drunk driver crashed into him and a colleague while they were standing next to a parked car along the Heathburn Public Road, East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six”.
Their tragic deaths have taken the number of policemen killed in the line of duty over the decades to 67.
Minister Benn said that as he counted the numbers his fingers shook as he came to the end.
“…My fingers shook as it came towards the end and it identified clearly for me the impact, the level of sacrifice which has been made and which continues to be made by the Guyana Police Force by its men and women over the years to preserve peace in our country”, Benn said.
Meanwhile Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, in his speech told the audience that “the Police Force is paying tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given their lives to this nation” and explained that becoming a police officer is no easy task.
He said that police ranks are frequently exposed to life threatening situations and added, “Therefore, it should be recognized that being enlisted in the Guyana Police Force as an officer is not without its challenges”. Hicken detailed that it takes commitment.
“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 duty and we must stand by our fellow police officers in the face of danger”, the Top Cop continued.
It is on that account, related Hicken that the Force continues to support fallen ranks through its Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc – a foundation that provides welfare assistance to the immediate relatives of fallen ranks.
According to the Top Cop, from 2022 to date, the GPF has provided 1200 counselling sessions to families of police officers killed in the line of duty along with financial assistance and educational assistance to their children under the age of 18.
The Police Force has paid for and arranged approximately 28 funerals from 2022 to date. However, noted the Top Cop, it is just a “needle in the haystack” when compared the sacrifice fallen ranks have made for their country.
Chairman of the Fallen Heroes foundation, Bishop Raphael Massiah, also spoke at ceremony and he told the ranks present that their monthly contribution of only $100 goes a long way in helping the families of fallen heroes.
“…Through your volunteerism, you make an insignificant contribution of $100 per month and when we put that together, we are able to achieve resources so that we can integrally be involved in the lives of those officers and their children”, Massiah said.
Honouring the fallen heroes is part of the activities planned to commemorate the Police Force’s 184th anniversary. This the 22nd annual wreath laying ceremony held by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
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