VARIOUS expressions of grief, including open, uncontrolled sobbing, made the atmosphere heavy with mourning yesterday as the remains of former Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, lay in a casket in the foyer of the National Cultural Centre.

After the viewing, the white casket was borne on to the stage in the auditorium, where President Donald Ramotar first expressed sympathy to the family, relatives, friends and fellow policemen and women who were affiliated to the former top cop and who served under him.
He said the government of Guyana always had confidence in Henry Greene and it was that confidence that saw him being allowed to serve the Guyana Police Force and by extension, the nation, beyond the retirement age of 55.
The Head of State acknowledged the service and work of Henry Greene whom, he said, was responsible for  ending  the crime spree that had raised its head in 2002 and went on for a while. Mr. Ramotar said that Greene’s untimely passing was truly a blow to the nation, as he had dedicated himself to public service and more importantly, to the security of the nation. Greene, the president also reminded, came through the ranks of the force and made it all the way to the top because of his dedication.
At yesterday’s funeral viewing and service for the former top cop, tributes were given by representatives of the Police Wives’ Association; the Guyana Fire Service; the Guyana Prison Service; the Joint Services Council; the Scouts Association; the Queens College Old Students’ Association; the Table Tennis Association; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the Irenaeus Lodge and  the Housing Cooperative Limited.
In his address on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, ‘A’ Division Commander George Vyphuis described Greene as a stickler for the rules and someone who encouraged the enforcement of the law. Touching on his personal relationship with the former top cop, Vyphuis said that while he and Greene were very good friends, he was not spared the Commissioner’s wrath when he did not execute his duties as he should have.
Yesterday’s service was also attended by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and his wife Yvonne Hinds, ministers of the government, members of the business community and the legal profession, and a small crowd of curious onlookers who trickled into the National Culture Centre and back out.
A notable presence at the funeral service was that of Guyana’s immediate past head of state Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
Mr. Jagdeo was greeted by former heads of the joint service and present ministers of the government who were also gathered in the lobby area.
Also notable was the presence of many senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force as well as some junior ranks who turned up to pay their final respects to the former commissioner.
The sermon at the funeral was delivered by Reverend M. Raphael Massiah of the First Assembly of God Church.
After the service, the cortege moved to the Golden Grove cemetery on the East Coast Demerara, where Greene was interred.
Henry Greene died on September 7th in a three-vehicle accident on the West Coast of Demerara, that also claimed the life a 10-year-old girl and injuring several others. Greene was at the time heading to the city when his speeding Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) veered into the path of a car, slamming into it and then into a delivery truck.
A post mortem  revealed that he died of a fractured spine. Henry Greene was 58.