Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson has hailed his predecessor Lucius Thomas as “quite the gentleman, who genuinely cared about the safety and security of the Jamaicans.”

Thomas died on Wednesday at the age of 74.

In a video posted to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Instagram account, Anderson said the retired lawman died following a “brief period of illness.”

READ: Former Police Commissioner has died

“We offer our condolences on behalf of the entire JCF to his family, loved ones and colleagues with whom he served. Lucius made a sterling contribution to our nation as commissioner between 2005 and 2007, and even before that, particularly during his service at the JCF special branch,” Anderson said.

Anderson added: “He will be remembered fondly by the members who served with him. I had the opportunity to travel and work with him on the JCF radio communication project and found him to be quite the gentleman. He was a person who genuinely cared about improving the quality of life of the members and the safety and security of the Jamaican people.”

“As an organisation we mourn his passing and now begin the process of paying due respect to a man who gave so much to his country,” he continued.

Thomas joined the JCF in 1969 at the age of 20. He served in the Mobile Reserve, Kingston Central Division, and for over 25 years at Special Branch, among other divisions.