THE 17 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) slain in active duty between January 2006 and April 9 this year, were specially remembered during Saturday’s seventh annual prayer and thanksgiving service for members of the security forces at Northern Caribbean University Church in Mandeville.

A special feature of the service was the laying of red carnations on a special altar while the names of the dead officers were read. These included Sergeant Huan Genus who was gunned down in Montego Bay along with his daughter Shari – a former TVJ reporter; Sherine Pryce-Parchment who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Manchester and Corporal Rowan White who was shot dead by gunmen in Kingston.

Following the flower ceremony, a moment of silence was observed for the dedicated service rendered by the slain officers and a trumpet solo, at once solemn and celebratory, was performed by the JCF band.

According to Custos Rotulorum of Manchester and elder of the NCU church Gilbert Allen, the purpose of the prayer service was to seek protection for the lawmen whose job is to serve and protect the citizens of Jamaica.

“Recognising that the members of our security forces are constantly being exposed to danger and temptation, this series of worship services was inaugurated in 2001 to give thanks for them and to intercede for their protection and their safety,” he said.

Reiterating sentiments expressed by many who had spoken before him, that the job of the security forces was anything but easy, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security Gilbert Scott, representing Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips, told the congregation that it was important to not only pray for the cops who remain in service, but also to encourage partnerships between the JCF and different sectors of society to ensure a more effective fight against crime.

“Already this year, eight members of the security forces have given the supreme sacrifice…and so today we pause to remember those who have served and to exhort and to pray for those who continue to serve,” he said.

President of the university Dr Herbert Thompson expressed his own distress at the rate at which policemen and women were being killed.

“I regret those who have been lost in the fight and the (loss of the) members of those families who will continue to hurt for a very long time, and today what we do here is not just a celebration. When you mourn and hurt, we mourn and hurt with you and we want you to know that we invited you here because we care,” he said, addressing the more than 300 police personnel from across the island who attended the function.

For its part, different members of the JCF lauded NCU for hosting the service each year. Chief chaplain Vivian Panton called it a “cushion” that buffers the many blows dealt to the police each day.