BURNT SAVANNAH, Westmoreland – Alrick Calbert, a 47-year-old district constable assigned to the Savanna-la-Mar Police Station who was among a group of men playing a game of cards, was shot dead early yesterday when two masked gunmen opened fire on them at a shop in Blackness, a small community in this rural area.

Calbert was reportedly shot several times in the head during the early morning attack. Two other persons from the group were also reportedly shot during the attack which occurred at about 1:15 am. The constable’s licensed Tangfolio 9mm pistol, with serial #Z12214 was reportedly stolen by the gunmen.

The hoodlums, police said, escaped on foot after robbing patrons of cellular phones and an undetermined sum of money.

Calbert, who has been a district constable for 10 years, was the third policeman to be killed so far this year.

Thirteen cops were killed last year.

Last night, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas condemned the attack on the group, which resulted in the policeman’s death.

“I mourn the loss of life of yet another policeman, which this time has taken place in a rural community,” Thomas said, adding that the attack emphasises the dangerous nature of the job of policing in Jamaica.

The commissioner urged the district constable core to remain steadfast and firm in their communities, despite this “unwarranted attack” on Calbert.

Thomas also offered his condolences and sympathy to the Calbert’s family and friends.