AS several officers and officials gathered to pay homage to police officers who died in action, an appealed was made to the Private Sector to increase its support to the Fallen Heroes Foundation (FHF).The gathering on Sunday at the Police Monument site, Eve Leary, laid wreaths as they remembered the fallen heroes who had loyally served the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

This year 64 officers are being remembered officially but the Force is also paying homage to those who died on the job. According to the Guyana Police Force, since 1913, these 64 policemen would have been those killed in the firing line.

Last year, the Force remembered 62 ranks. The two new ranks added to the list this year are Antonio Dawson who was stabbed while apprehending a suspect at Gafoors Complex at Houston and Leonard La Rose who was also stabbed while arresting a suspect who was wanted for rape at Mathews Ridge.

At the remembrance event, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud announced that the FHF has amassed $2.7 million from each divisional commander so far.
This is apart from the donations of Government officials and members of the business community. The money, he said, will go towards helping with the education and welfare of the children of the fallen heroes.

“The suffering of the spouses and children of these men and women who were killed in the line of duty often times go unnoticed, therefore I assure you all that there will be greater economic support to these families,” the Police Commissioner stated.

Meanwhile, he declared that it is time Guyana observed a National Day for its fallen heroes. And Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in supporting the call, pledged the Guyana Government’s continuing support to the Foundation and praised the Police Commissioner for the initiative that led to implementation of the Foundation idea.

However, even as the Foundation continues to amass funds for the surviving family members, Ramjattan called on the private sector to put more cash into the initiative.
“This is a larger call from beyond here to the business community and to members of the society generally that, yes, you ought to come forward to help and support so that the comfort levels of the families of the deceased are going to be lifted,” he said.