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Two cops killed in Mountain View assault

— six injured

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

TWO policemen were killed yesterday in a violent confrontation with gunmen, who had launched an attack against the security forces in wake of the pending extradition of alleged Tivoli Gardens drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Six other officers were injured in the attack.

The dead policemen were identified as Sgt Wayne Henriques and Constable Jason Davis, both of the Motorised Patrol Division.

The eight officers were responding to a distress call from a female motorist at the Rockfort Police Station, who reportedly came under fire from armed men on Mountain View Avenue at about 11:30 Sunday night along the volatile Mountain View Avenue in Kingston.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, in condemning the murder of the policemen, advised members of the constabulary to take swift and decisive action to protect themselves in the face of orchestrated attacks on police personnel and facilities by gunmen supporting Coke.

"Do not hesitate to respond quickly and take decisive action when attacked by these criminals as it is now patently clear that they are hell bent on causing mayhem in the society by their calculated, vile and cold actions against police personnel.

"Police personnel have the full backing of the high command to take any response to protect themselves, their colleagues and the law abiding citizens of Jamaica ," Ellington told members of the Force while visiting various formations early yesterday morning.

The police commissioner, meanwhile, extended his profound sadness to the family, friends and colleagues of the two slain officers and the six nursing gunshot wounds in hospital.

"The loss of these two officers and the injury to the six, while difficult to deal with, will only serve as a rallying call for the police to remain strong, committed and firm as we continue to encounter brazen criminals," Ellington said.

Security Minister Dwight Nelson also extended sincere condolence to the family, friends and loved ones of the two policemen, noting that they made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in the pursuit of their duties to uphold law and order.

Minister Nelson, in a press statement, said that now is the time for the society to deal decisively with crime and violence once and for all. He urged all political parties and other well-meaning non-governmental organisations to unite in this effort and lend unstinting support for law enforcement agencies.

Opposition Spokesman on Security Peter Bunting also said it was time for all people of goodwill to support the security forces in their lawful response to the criminal organisations.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), which has over the years been critical of the operational tactics of the police, said yesterday that it was deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic death of the two officers and the injury of six of their colleagues.

"Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families and colleagues of those law officers killed in the service of their country.

"The lawlessness displayed in some areas and by some persons, since the announcement that the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke would be signed, are utterly deplorable and cannot be tolerated in a free and democratic society," said the rights organisation.

It added: "The professionalism and restraint displayed thus far by the Jamaica Constabulary Force is extremely commendable. It is also heartening for the signal it sends of a new, higher level of policing practice under the leadership of Commissioner Owen Ellington.

"JFJ hopes that the JCF can bring the situation under control in short order and with minimal further loss of life and injury."

It said, too, that it hoped that the approach taken by the police was the start of a new and better day for policing and the rule of law in Jamaica.

"All Jamaica and every Jamaican must ensure and show that our enduring support and loyalty is to the rule of law and for those who bravely risk and give their lives in its defence," said JFJ.

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COMMENTS (22)

donna L.
5/25/2010

god is good jamaica is a good place and the people are very strong love.

Jovi u
5/25/2010

R.I.P Jason Davis... Cant believe your gone man.. Its so said to see what jamaica is turning into just remember, Anyone can fight a Battle but it takes a real soldier to die for what he love and a hero to die for what he believe in... You will be mised my brother..We love you and we know you in a better place... Sgt Wayne Henriques may god rest your soul, Love goes out to your family from my family...

Donavon Murray
5/25/2010

People are dying! I grieve for their families!
Remember the "Peace Treaty" of the seventies?
No more!
Remember when Edward Seaga offered Reneto Adams and his team (the Police legally empowered to enforce law and order) "Safe passage" out of Tivoli Gardens?
No more!
Remember when the then Leader of the Opposition, Edward Seaga in an interview at "Jim Brown" Cook's (present day Dudus' father) funeral defended that criminal's character on national TV?
No more!
Remember when Omar Davis and a number of PNP high ranking members attended "Willie Haggart's" funeral?
No more!
No more of this politicians / thugs alliance!
This is the result!
Clean up this mess once-and-for-all!
House to house searches in 'Down-Town" and "Up-Town" areas. [Remember guns and ammunitions were found in Heavendale (for sale)].
Keep on the pressure until our beautiful island is back to being the jewel of the Caribbean again.
@Chubby Gray, we were there!

rodney foster
5/25/2010

it felt like just yesterday but its 26 yrs ago february 6/1984 we went to the jamaica police academy to serve and protect the citisens of our country and this is what they did to u tears are falling down my cheeks right now i hope ur sacrifice wasn't in vain may ur soul rest in peace squaddie u will be missed peace

Paul Samuels
5/25/2010

Condolences to the family and friends of the officers who lost their lives while carrying out their duties. You are heroes in my eyes. All this mayhem and downright defiance of law and order has been festering for some time now and it is a direct result of all these corrupt and heartless vultures we call politicians. They arm these youth with guns and promises (directly and indirectly) especially during election time and then completely ignore them when its over. The youth are then left with guns and without their regular "handouts" so they turn to violence as last resort.

Wilfred Gray
5/25/2010

See, the same PNPp,ertc, who encouraged, Golding are calling him `same chief destabilzer`.
It is government responsibility.
It is not just JLP fighting as we read, it also PNPs fightings.
Sista could not have better campaigner than onename Golding.
How pleased,must she be! whilst laughin`.
A govt.responsibility.

John Public
5/25/2010

I don't see an end for his any time soon. I hope we use this as an opportunity to rid the country of the infectious disease contracted back in the late 70's once and for all. I think I speak for all law abiding J'can's when I say I'm sick of the foolishness. Full support goes to the security forces as they are doing a job the rest of us would prefer not to. Condolences to the families of the fallen.

5/25/2010

I call for a public inquiry into events leading up to the breakdown of civil order, the calling of a state of emergency and the actions of the Gov..

jae jae
5/25/2010

What does jamaica need?
god/love/peace/unitylove for each other!?!!

jae jae
5/25/2010

WOW! How heart-breaking,and senseless.
God is the answer.
PEACE.

Steve Morris
5/25/2010

My condolences to the family and friends of the fallen members of the forces, The PM should be held responsible. for all security members death. I also recommend that Tivoli gardens be demolished and the site used for the new KPH. Which would make it more secure and better able to serve the needs of the community.

C. Brown
5/25/2010

Hero!! This man gave his life fighting for our freedom. Thanks to Bruce and Dudus, two selfish power hungry blood sucking mosquitoes, we have to endure all of this. I hope this is the war that ends all wars.... Many thanks to the security forces and their families for fighting for a better Jamaica for all of us...

Andrea Byfield
5/25/2010

My deepest condolences to the families of the security personnels who have lost their lives in the defence of our nation. Their heoric fight will always be remembered. Their commitment to serve in this difficulty time is exceedingly above commendable. For the families take comfort in the words of God... I leave with you Isaiah 61. Jehovah Shalom.

Anancy Bedward
5/25/2010

Condolences to the family and friends of these brave men.
@Andy Stewart, what you wrote is so true of Jamaican society, especially those who are well-off.

Wa Tch
5/25/2010

We are very saddened to learn of the deaths of these fallen men who brave their lives to protect us daily. They are treated with scant regard by the govt who fatten their bellies while expecting these men to sacrifice their lives with little to offer.
I am so confounded that Bruce Golding has been so driven to act in a bid to retain political power that he exposed our country to this.
That man must pay.
Police and soldiers must act to severely destroy the destructive forces.

Andy Stewart
5/25/2010

We Jamaicans go thru life with blinker on, we know what is wrong, but we pretend not to see it as we declare that it is not my problem because it is happening in the ghettos, it is not my problem because it is happening down the street and it is not my problem because it is happening next door. Each time narrowing our scope of existence until we are completely mentally isolated from society, declaring that everything safe because we have a session to go later, we exist in a tiny bubble and as we are well aware bubbles have a tendency of bursting.

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
5/25/2010

Condolences !!

peter john
5/25/2010

i dont care how rich and powerful you are because you give a country economic aid you want to undermine their sovereignty all these killings because the US showing off its muscles.
and the fact that Jamaica is dependent on the US is not a reason
for the Island to compromise their sovereignty.If thats the case that defeated the purpose from Britain.
That extradition treaty should have never been signed.
Its a one way street trereignty.Compare to a rich man controling a poor woman , because he has money and power.This is wrong and people need to stop selling out.Yes,the Garrison heed to be dismantled,but it will not be done over night.It took over 40yrs to built.

Khad Geovanni
5/25/2010

I always knew that the day would come when Jamaica would be brought to her knees. This is just so unfortunate. As if slavery was not enough we have been unlucky to get manipulative and selfish politicians whose vision is confined to what they can place in their pockets. They have manipulated the poor and uneducated of Tivoli and this is what it boils down to. Dudus is only a part of the problem- but what of the creators and perpetrators of an evil system. Members of Parliament should be out there fighting, not our policemen and soldiers. I pray for their safety as they try to flush out the criminals but who will flush out the criminals who created these criminals- who will deal with the corrupt people who have helped to create these monsters. Is there a difference between the monsters in TG and the monsters in Parliament. The time has come for our nation to pack all of them in a barrel and roll them down the hill, never to return. Mr. PM you are disgrace

Steve Jobs
5/25/2010

R.I.P and thank you for your bravery.

Alloy T
5/25/2010

All those who aid and abet criminals (especially our politicians who provide them with protection from the law and with contracts paid from tax payers money) I want you to know that "blood deh pon yu shoulder'. All the police, soldier and law abiding citizen's that die or injured at the hands of these criminal associates are the results of your illicit marriage.
It is sad that the politicians create these monsters and only when the monsters going to harm them they send in innocent police and soldier to cut them down. What a set of self-serving brutes we continue to select to lead us.
Blood deh pon dem shoulder

Dale Morris
5/25/2010

We shall overcome s.ome day. RIP Fallen Law Men

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