SCORES OF Lindeners flocked the Mackenzie Spots Club Ground on Thursday to pay tributes to the late Sergeant Leonard La Rose who died in the line of duty on March 1, 2016. There was hardly a dry eye as many reminisced about the sergeant’s kindhearted spirit and generous attitude. The funeral service commenced with a two-hour viewing by friends and family who wailed over his corpse, even begging him “to wake up.” His sister sobbingly said that her brother died fighting for the people of Guyana as he would be buried with two scars. “Leonard died fighting for the people of Guyana and for the Force. He is laying here with a bullet still in his back and now a stab wound.
At the arrival of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelall Persaud, the casket was closed and draped by three ranks dressed in their ceremonial attire who girded it with the late sergeant’s hat and belt. Tributes were given by many who spoke of the humbleness and professionalism portrayed by the late Sergeant during his years in the force.

Lesson for all of us
Commissioner Persaud during his tribute told the mourners that Sergeant La Rose’s death was a lesson for all of us to realize the dreadful risks being taken by police officers on a daily basis. “The incident that occurred at Matthews Ridge that led us to this function is a reminder of the thousands of police officers around the world who on a daily basis put themselves in harm’s way to protect other members of the Police Force.
Persaud revealed that La Rose joined the police force in 1995 as a direct intake to the presidential guard. He worked his way up and attended several training programmes which resulted in him being promoted to Corporal in 2009 and Sergeant in 2014. “Like many of us, policing was his calling, during his stay he had displayed that he was a very courageous individual, a very good public servant and a very dedicated policeman,” the Commissioner posited. He said that those attributes were the price he paid in reaching his demise. “He certainly will be missed, he is a good man and may God rest his soul,’ he ended as he paid condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the Guyana Police Force.
Commissioner Seelall Persaud was accompanied by Commander of E’ Division Calvin Brutus and Commander of ‘F’ Division Ravindradat Budhram.

Moving military send off
Despite the many comments from family members and Lindeners of the absence of top government officials or cabinet ministers, the late sergeant received a moving military send off with customary gun salute and marching procession to soulful instrumental music. The casket was escorted into the hearse by six ranks of the Guyana Police Force.
Sergeant La Rose was stabbed along with two other ranks, however he alone succumbed. The ranks were attempting to arrest a suspect involved in the rape of a 13 year old girl. The suspect is in police custody and is expected to be charged for murder. The policeman has left to mourn his wife, five children, siblings and his 93-year-old mother.
Sergeant LaRose was laid to rest at the Christainburg burial ground. Attending the funeral was other ranks of the Mackenzie Police Station, Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolf, students of various schools and members of the Ex-Police Association.