Senior Superintendent of Police, Kirk Ricketts, says he has been left devastated by the news of the passing of former Inspector of Police Ralph Medley.

Sixty-two-year-old Medley was found at his home on Mahogany Close in Montego Hills, St James on Friday morning with a bullet wound to the head, leaving many to speculate that he took his own life.

Reports are that his body was discovered by his wife who then alerted the police.

READ: WATCH: Retired police inspector found dead at home

However, while the police continue their investigations into the matter involving the popular police officer, SSP Ricketts, a former Divisional Commander for the Trelawny Division, in which Medley worked until his retirement, disclosed that the tragedy has left an impression on him.

“I’m still trying to digest what I’m hearing. When I was told that Mr Medley had passed, I was extremely devastated. I mean this is a man who we know would have given his all in service to his country. He was a very dedicated police officer,” SSP Ricketts said, indicating that Medley’s death now leaves a lot of questions to be answered.

SSP Ricketts, who is now in charge of the St Andrew Division, related that during his tenure in Trelawny, Medley had served as Custody Officer with responsibilities for the incarcerated population and also served as plant manager – ensuring that the infrastructure was up to standard in police stations across the Division.

“He was extremely committed. In fact, when he retired he left a huge gap in the Trelawny Division at the time when I was there and it’s really a tragic situation to hear about his passing” he further lamented.

As he continued to share details about the life of the deceased man, he recounted that Medley was big on the welfare of his fellow officers and was supportive of the work of the Police Federation during his time as a cop.

“There is something about him. While he was a dedicated police officer to the country and to the people of the country, what I remember most about him was his love for his colleagues. He was one of those persons who would fight for their welfare. He was one of those welfare persons always integral in the Federation activities and just wanted to ensure that persons were working in the best conditions that were available,” he further highlighted.

SSP Ricketts said Medley’s willingness to serve was also demonstrated by the fact that he was often seen at civic functions and other events leading the parades involving the uniform groups.

Medley, a 42-year veteran of the organisation, was originally from St Elizabeth and was a teacher before joining the police force. He taught electrical installation, a trade he continued after becoming an officer.

In 2013, he received the Sam Sharpe Award for outstanding service to the parish of St James in the area of National Security.