MAY PEN, Clarendon – Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) came out in their numbers last Saturday to pay their respects to colleague Constable Jason Davis during a thanksgiving service at the Bethel Temple Apostolic Church on Fernleigh Avenue, May Pen.

Davis was one of two police officers killed during last month’s social unrest in parts of Kingston – the other being Sergeant Wayne Henriques who was coincidentally summoned for duty whilst celebrating his 7th wedding anniversary when he met his demise.

Both officers were shot and killed along Mountain View Avenue on May 23 while going to the assistance of injured colleagues, who had come under heavy gunfire from thugs in the vicinity of the Excelsior High School.

At the thanksgiving service last weekend, Davis, 27, was hailed as a brave warrior by colleagues and a good father by family members who paid tribute to him.

“Jason Davis was by no measure an average police officer… he is an excellent model to copy when it comes to punctuality and commitment,” said Constable France Morrison.

“He always appeared confident and willing to guide his colleagues based on his experience… such was the measure of the man,” added Morrison.

Davis was born on January 20, 1983 in Race Course, Clarendon, where he attended Race Course Primary and Garvey Maceo High School after which he took up his first job as a gas station attendant.

But, wanting to achieve more out of life, he would later apply to both the JCF and the Jamaica Defence Force and was accepted by the former in 2002.

In her tribute, Sergeant Dian Bartley, who was instrumental in Davis joining the force, remembered him as a dedicated family man who was always interested in helping others.

“He was dedicated to family and work,” Bartley said. “At home, he is always the one to instill discipline in his siblings.

“He grew up in a farming family and it was no surprise when he started his own farm when he moved to Portland to start his own family. He was a lover of animals.

“To his friends, he’s always easy to talk to. He is always interested in giving a helping hand, as long as it is for a good cause,” Bartley said.

Davis, who received some 29 commendations from the JCF, is survived by parents Lincoln Davis and Maxine Mathews, daughter Jada and common-law wife Natasha Soba, was interred in the Denbigh Cemetery.