FOR Constable Xavier Torrey Harvey, being awarded a Medal of Honour for Gallantry at King’s House on National Heroes Day was an indescribable feeling.

The young member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force was yesterday recognised for foiling a robbery in May Pen, Clarendon in September 2015, which resulted in lives being saved, a gunman killed, and a firearm recovered.

“I was off duty and in the Glenmuir Housing Scheme at a shop… when one of the men who was there called out to me saying, gunmen were about to rob the shop, which had been robbed on previous occasions. On approaching, I saw two men dressed in dark clothing. I called out to them and one of the men pulled a firearm from his waistband and fired at me. I returned fire in his direction. I later searched the area and found him suffering from gunshot wounds. I took the firearm from him and he was taken to the May Pen Hospital where I gather that he later succumbed to his injuries. The best part for me is that I was able to bring the situation under control quickly and that no one else was hurt,” the constable said yesterday.

But, for Constable Harvey, the dangerous nature of the situation — being outnumbered by the gunmen two to one, and the fact that he was off duty — did cross his mind, but only for a second. He quickly remembered the oath and slogan of the Jamaica Constabulary Force — To Serve, Protect and Reassure.

“I was between two minds at first, but when I thought that persons were at the shop and they could have been killed, I decided to take on the situation and handle it in the best way I can, then call for assistance as quickly as possible,” he noted.

He received the award for demonstrating uncommon and outstanding valour and calmness during the act of bravery.