THE death of Millicent Forbes, the diminutive woman who took on the Jamaican state for the murder of her daughter Janice Allen at the hands of police in 2000, yesterday elicited a 'confession' from a former member of the Jamaica Police Force for unrelated misdeeds.

It was during the funeral service of the woman who was catapulted into the eyes of the world when she refused to accept that her daughter's death by a policeman's bullet should go unpunished. Forbes who gained the nickname of the ferocious ant "pity mi little" from former Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes (no relation) for her tiny size but determined nature, went past the Jamaican Court of Appeal to the London-based Privy Council in her quest for justice resulting in a landmark ruling.

Mourners who braved the rain pelting the island to gather at the Trench Town Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kingston yesterday listened in pin drop silence to the repentant words read by chairman of rights group Jamaican's for Justice (JFJ) David Silvera which came via e-mail from the former officer now in the state's witness protection programme outside of Jamaica.

"It is with unequivocal assurance I can categorically say that you were right. There have been extra-judicial killings in the police force. It is with that solemn humility I will point the finger on no one other than myself and state that I committed extra-judicial killings as a member of the JCF," read the letter from the officer whose name was not given.

The officer who had stated that though 'thousands of miles away' he was unwilling to be silent about Forbes' relentless fight for justice, yesterday said that his contribution was "a validation that she was not just some overly grief stricken fanatic lunatic.

"I have done a lot of things in the past within and outside of the police force that were wrong or illegal or in some way caused hurt or harm to others. I can say to those of you that it affected, that I am truly and deeply sorry," Silvera read further.

The individual pledged to spearhead in memory of Forbes, who died on June 20 at the University Hospital of the West Indies following a brief illness, the creation of "The Janice Allen Value of Life Foundation.

"This must never be allowed to happen again. The overall and long-term goal is for the empowerment of young females between the ages of 10 to 20 years with a special support system for those being victims of crime," Silvera read further.

The individual further urged Jamaicans to evaluate themselves and the ways in which they could make positive contributions to the country, noting that: "I have been forced to deal with the consequence of my actions of the past, evaluate myself and try to remain focused on not repeating those actions".

Yesterday Forbes or 'Miss Millie' was remembered by all for her courage in the face of threats and bribes, her determination and her huge heart which still loved many inspite of the pain brought on by the loss of one of her seven children.

The anguish left by her passing was too much for Kingsley Rhodd, her first grandchild, who after bravely reading the first sentence of the tribute he had prepared was overcome by grief. Unable to utter another word he clung to the podium until removed.

And even then it was not over.

When Pastor Holland Thompson took the pulpit for parting words, Rhodd who had been taken outside the church darted from his comforters, pushed the flowers from atop the casket, throwing it open to embrace the face of his dead grandmother evoking gasps from the congregation

"Stay with me please, stay with me," he pleaded his voice hoarse with unshed tears. When pulled away by family members his loud 'no's' of sorrowful protest pierced the sombre and rainy atmosphere. Other family members among them Forbes' remaining daughters bore their grief well with iron clad strength much like that of the woman they mourned.