THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is preparing for four military funerals, with the first to be held tomorrow, as ranks pay their final respects to colleagues who died while still serving.

The first funeral tomorrow will be that of 19832 Woman Corporal Jocelyn Bobb who passed away last week after falling ill.
She was stationed at the Felix Austin Police College and was among the first persons new recruits or aspiring young policemen and policewomen would encounter when they turn up for interviews and entry exams.

Following her death, many young ranks expressed sadness and remarked how accommodating and encouraging she was in dealing with them.
While no dates have yet been set for the other funerals of those who died over the past week, they will also be accorded military sendoffs, in keeping with the standard operating procedures of the GPF for serving members who pass away.
Those are Constable 18053 Sherwin Pantlitz, Lance Corporal 20293 Michael Forde and Constable 22082 Saquiel Anderson.
Pantlitz and Forde were killed in the line of duty on Tuesday while exchanging gunfire with berserk businessman Deryck Kanhai who was involved in a three hours shootout with cops in Middle Street, Georgetown.

The cops were reported to have been shot as they attempted to enter the lower flat of a three-storey building in which the gunman had secluded himself and kept them at bay.
The men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) a short distance away but were pronounced dead on arrival.

(By Leroy Smith)