With only a few months from retirement, Corporal Judith Williams had plans to reap the benefits of her work following 16 years of service as a police officer.

Williams had applied for early retirement on medical grounds and was given permission to retire in November of this year. However, that was not to be, as armed men mercilessly gunned her down while she was on her way to work at the Commissioner’s Office on Old Hope Road in St Andrew.

Police report that on the day in question, Williams stood at a bus stop awaiting transportation to get to work. However, little did she know that this would be her last stop, as two men on a motorcycle approached and immediately opened fire, hitting her six times before escaping. She was taken to hospital where she battled for her life. After numerous calls for blood to be donated and several surgeries, she succumbed.

The thanksgiving service for the life of Corporal Williams was held last Sunday at the Hagley Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in St Andrew, where hundreds of mourners, including members of the Police High Command, the political directorate, retired Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, friends, family members and well-wishers, were present to pay their respects.

The mood at the service was one of sadness as tributes given in remembrance of Corporal Williams brought family members and colleagues to tears. However, despite the tears and sadness, the JCF choir lifted the spirits of those in attendance with a heart-warming rendition of ‘It is well with my soul’. That rendition brought the congregation to its feet, as the hymn of praise echoed for Corporal Williams.

“I’m sure we all know how to love our mothers, but we seldom know how it feels to lose one,” was how Andre Groover, Williams’ last child and only son, began his tribute to his mother. He remembered the treasured moments he shared with his mother and how family members have helped him to deal with the tragic loss. His four sisters supported him during the tribute.

Corporal Arlene McBean from the Jamaica Police Federation used the opportunity to make an impassioned plea for a police transportation system to be put in place as a matter of urgency. She also called on the Minister of National Security to urgently address this concern, as too often police officers are attacked on their way to work or heading home in the evenings.

She said, “For many years the Police Federation has been championing the cause for police transportation.” The need is pressing, Corporal McBean said, because “desperate times call for desperate measures”.

In his tribute to the family, Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams described Corporal Williams as a “very pleasant person and the most unlikely victim of a murder so foul.” He went on to express his deepest condolences to family and friends and also made a commitment that the perpetrators will be made to pay for the evil that they have done.

“In fact, before the week is out, I guarantee that charges will be laid,” Dr Williams said.

Minister of National Security Robert Montague in his tribute spoke directly to the family members by providing words of encouragement and reassurance. He told them to weep if they needed to, as nobody else understands the pain that they are feeling. He then spoke about the dedicated service that Corporal Williams gave to her country for 16 years.

The minister also had a strong message to killers and those who hide killers.

“Give up yourselves. Because a day is coming when an appeal will not be made and many will come to the streets, run to the TV cameras and tell us how the killers were church people… if they are, tell them to give up themselves,” urged Montague.

“I am giving fair warning, not only to the killers but to those who support them,” he continued. He went on to further state that the country could not be developed if good people do not stand up to the killers.

Corporal Williams, a mother of five, began her career as a police officer, having first joined the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) on May 8, 1999. She was described as a diligent worker with a keen sense of observation and was easy to work with. After six years of service, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

As a result of her dedication, professionalism and strong work ethic, Williams was commended for efficient and dedicated service by the organisation several times. In 2013, Corporal Williams was awarded the medal of honour for efficient service to her country.

After serving in several divisions, including the Supreme Court, Half Way Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court and King’s House, she was transferred to the Office of the Commissioner of Police until the time of her untimely passing.

Corporal Judith Ann-Marie Williams leaves her parents Cynthia Butler and Winston Williams; children Tamara Archibald, Tameka Archibald, Tanisha Archibald-McKenzie, Britney Harris and son Andre Groover.