Children of the late Cleveland Wilson pay tribute to their father at the funeral held at the Waterford Seventh-day Adventist Church. - Contributed

Tributes and tears flowed in abundance on Wednesday, August 22, at the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church, as family, friends and colleagues bade final farewell to Sergeant Cleveland Wilson of the Waterford Police Station.

Sergeant Wilson who lived in Bushy Park Housing Scheme, Clarendon, was shot and killed by gunmen at a barbershop in the community on July 31.

It was the residents of Bushy Park who came out in their numbers to pay respect to a man they described as not only a model policeman, but the quintessential community man. It was noted that Sgt. Wilson believed in the youths of the area and successfully bridged the gap with them through sports - especially football which was one of his passions.

In an almost tearful tribute, members of the Bushy Park football team remembered the policeman as one who brought peace to the football fields, even while being a fierce competitor.

A representative of the Bushy Park Citizen Association also spoke glowingly of the admiration and respect, the 26-year veteran of the force enjoyed from older community folk. She bemoaned the fact that a huge void had been created when he was killed and it would take some doing to replace a man of his ilk.

Medal of honour

Sergeant Wilson, who was born in Kingston on December 10, 1958, began his career in the Jamaica Constabulary Force in June 1981. During his tenure, he served in Portland, Clarendon, Manchester, Highway Patrol, and the Remand Centre and up to the time of his death, St. Catherine South. He was trained in such disciplines as immigration law, driving and maintenance, public order and customer service. In 2003, he was awarded a medal of honour for long service and good conduct. Numbered among his achieve-ments were numerous commendations for the recovery of firearms, destruction of ganja fields and efficient and dedicated work to the Jamaica Constabulary Force and by extension the people of Jamaica.

Noted among the attendees at the funeral were Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, Deputy Commissioners Mark Shields, Linval Bailey and Charles Scarlett. Superintendent Terrence Bent, who was Sgt. Wilson's commanding officer at the time of his untimely passing, read the eulogy.

Underneath cloudy skies, Sgt. Cleveland Wilson was lowered into his final resting place at the Dovecot Memorial Park, with the singing of burial choruses accompanied by the unmistakable sound of 21 explosions from M-16 rifles. An onlooker remarked, "He would have been proud."

On The Beat is not only proud of the role this outstanding police officer played both at work and in his community, but is also grateful for his contribution in helping to further shape the image of this noble organisation.

On the Beat is a production of the Constabulary Communication Network. For further information please contact Sergeants Jubert Llewellyn, Dahlia Garrick and Constable Richard Minott at 978-2729.