Minister Rohee lays a wreath at the Monument for Fallen Heroes.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday morning held its wreath laying ceremony for those who died in the line of duty at the Monument for Fallen Heroes in the Police Officer’s Mess Compound, Eve Leary.

The somber ceremony including the laying of wreaths by family members of the 56 policemen who were slain in the line of duty from 1913 to 2008.

Following the arrival of Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, there were the traditional sounding of the last post, a 21-gun salute, two minutes of silence, and reveille.

Wreaths were also laid by Minister Rohee, Commissioner Greene, and representatives of divisions and branches.

During brief remarks, Minister Rohee spoke of the blatant killing of policemen worldwide and talked of our own experiences here in Guyana during the crime wave in 2001-2003, when over 30 policemen were murdered.

Bearing in mind the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen heroes, Rohee urged the Force re-dedicate itself to duty, not forgetting the dangers posed from time to time.

The Minister solemnly spoke of the critical period when policemen were killed in the line of duty, the days he termed as “dark days”; and expressed sympathy to the family members of those killed.

Rohee also congratulated the GPF on their 170th anniversary celebrations and the bravery shown by the fallen heroes, who will remembered.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Commissioner Greene recognised that the ceremony has indeed become dear to the Force.

The Top Cop added that those who died served well for the procurement of peace and tranquility, but their lives were cut short just because they were policemen.

“How can we forget those policemen who gave their lives for being policemen,” he implored.

Greene added that the ceremony honoured the fallen heroes who are gone but not forgotten.