CONSTABLE 21999 Antonio Dawson of the Guyana Police Force, killed in the line of duty two Fridays ago by a junkie was buried yesterday with full military honours at the Goed Intent Cemetery following a moving thanksgiving service for his life at a Wesleyan Church in the same West Bank Demerara village.A pall of grief overhung the close-knit neighbourhood and hundreds downed tools as they headed teary-eyed for the church where mourners filed past the flag-draped casket bearing the mortal remains of Constable Dawson.

The church was packed to capacity with mourners and sympathisers, including fellow police ranks smartly dressed in ceremonial attire, many over-spilling the churchyard and lining both sides of the roadway.
Apart from their drums and ceremonial drill display, there was a moving musical interlude by the police choir.
Joining bereaved relatives, colleagues and friends of the dead constable in paying their last respects were: Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, Commander Clifton Hicken and other senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force.
Officiating minister Pastor Mark Samuels delivered a stirring sermon that dwelt on the courage of a young policeman who risked his life in the execution of duty and even in the face of death did not respond with force.
Pastor Samuels, referring to the police as the Guyana Police Service, noted with conviction that the police force is moving to another dynamic dispensation where “… We will no longer regard our policemen and women as those who are responding with force, but in service.”
He called on the congregation, amidst all that is being seen today, to be ever conscious of the need to seek God, noting that today is the day of salvation. And he charged the police ranks to honour God and to fear him.
“We need godly officers,” Pastor Samuels declared, adding, “and I believe Officer Dawson would have been executing that which is right.”

Meanwhile, Minister Ramjattan on a rather somber note remarked that it was a very sad day when one so young and brave would have lost his life under such circumstances. He extended condolences to Constable Dawson’s parents, children and other bereaved relatives. He also acknowledged the contribution being made to the police force by the other three siblings of the Dawson household, noting that until Antonio’s passing there were four of them in active service. The minister observed that it is sad that such incidents should occur, especially at a time when the police force is being reformed.
“It is unfortunate that we are having these things happening, especially at a time when we are reforming the police force and I would have loved this generation of policemen to take it from there. It is unfortunate that he had to die,” Minister Ramjattan said.
The eulogy was read by Pastor Derek Andersen and there were other tributes by Pastor Vic Grimmond and the Commissioner of Police who expressed regrets at the rank’s tragic and untimely passing, and offered condolences on behalf of the Guyana Police Force.

Born on March 6, 1987, Constable Dawson died on September 18th 2015 at age 28. Attached to the Impact Base at Brickdam, he met his death as he was attempting to arrest 41-year-old Samuel Frederick Adams in response to call for back-up from the police marine wing, which was initially pursuing the suspect. Dawson on arrival at the scene surrendered his firearm to another rank and approached the suspect unarmed to urge him to put down his knife. However, the suspect responded by stabbing Dawson several times about the body. The tragedy happened at Houston, East Bank Demerara, in the vicinity of A. Gafoor and Sons. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed while in the operating theatre.
Meanwhile, after viciously wounding Dawson, the suspect turned the knife on himself, inflicting a wound to his chest and slitting his throat. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

By Shirley Thomas