MONTEGO BAY, St James — Hours after laying Senior Superintendent Demot Lawrence to rest, members of the Area One Police were again plunged into mourning following the brutal gun-slaying of a constable at a barbershop in Westmoreland on Sunday.

The slain cop has been identified as Constable Howard Bucknor, 41, of Hartford district in Westmoreland.

According to commander of the Westmoreland Police Division, Superintendent Gary McKenzie, about 9:45 pm Constable Bucknor, who was stationed at the Little London Police Station, was cut down in a hail of bullets fired by unknown men who pounced upon him while he was at a barbershop at Petersfield in the parish.

The constable was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“I am appealing for information from anyone who might have any information on the killers to contact us. We see this as an attack against law and order and we will be relentless in finding his killer or killers,” Superintendent McKenzie said yesterday.

“We want the community to support law enforcement by providing information as it relates to any activities because any illegal activity can result in the death of anybody,” added the police superintendent.

He was unable to provide a motive for the attack on the policeman, whom he described as a “fearless and hard-working crimefighter”.

Said McKenzie: “He was an experienced, hard-working officer who did his work in a fearless manner. He had a wide range of experience, having served in a number of areas, including Mobile Reserve, Patrol Division, and CIB.

“We offer condolences to his family members.”

Grief counsellors were yesterday dispatched to console Constable Bucknor’s family members and colleagues.

Security Minister Dr Horace Chang yesterday expressed condolences to the family of Constable Bucknor and his colleague officers in the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“This attack on an active-duty officer is of great concern,” said Chang.

“Elements in the society [who are] determined to disrupt law and order and cause fear and panic will not be tolerated. This incident will not be allowed to impair the fight against crime in the parish of Westmoreland,” said the security minister.

“Officers will redouble their resolve to bring these unsavoury, criminal elements to justice. The efforts to restore peace and safety to our communities remain the mandate of our police officers and is the responsibility of all Jamaicans. These efforts will not be undermined or hampered by this incident,” said Dr Chang,

Meanwhile, crime officer at the Hanover Police Division, Inspector Paul Simms, said the slain policeman was disciplined, knowledgeable,and always carrying the fight to criminals”.