Police raise $2.7M for Fallen Heroes Foundation

Jul 18, 2016 News

• at Force’s wreath laying ceremony

Ranks waiting in line to lay their wreaths

The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) annual Wreath Laying ceremony was held yesterday at the Fallen Heroes Monument in the Eve Leary Compound at Police Headquarters. Scores of relatives and ranks turned out despite the intermittent rainfall.

In attendance was Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and relatives of policemen and women slain in the line of duty.

It was a sombre occasion as Commissioner Seelall Persaud reminded the gathering of the heroic actions of the “fallen heroes” over the years. Family members could be seen teary eyed as the Commissioner addressed them.

The Guyana Police Force’s Fallen Heroes Foundation was formed to raise funds for the family members of policemen and women who were slain in the line of duty. Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan during a short speech urged the private sector to inject more cash into the foundation.

He said, “This is a larger call from beyond here to the business community and to members of the society generally that, yes, you ought to come forward to help and support so that the comfort levels of the families of the deceased are going to be comforted”.

The Public Security Minister also pledged the government’s continued support to the Foundation and praised the Commissioner Seelall Persaud for the implementation of the initiative.

Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who was the brain behind the move to set up the Fallen Heroes Foundation, said that $2.7 M was collected from fund raising activities held by each Divisional Commander. That money was handed over to the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Raphael Massiah.

In addition, contributions were made by the government of Guyana, including President David Granger, the Minister of Public Security and members of the business community.

Persaud also voiced the idea of having a National Day for the fallen members of the Guyana Police Force.