Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

DALEY

He wanted badly to live and see the day when she would be promoted to the rank of deputy superintendent in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). That was one of his most cherished wishes. But, as fate would have it, Corporal Dave Daley was brutally killed by a group of gunmen in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, on February 12 last year.

Four days later, his wish became a reality. His younger cousin, Herfa Beckford, was promoted to the rank of deputy superintendent. They all came from a poor family and grew up as ambitious children, attending Williamsfield All-Age in Westmoreland. Cpl Daley later went to Petersfield High and DSP Beckford to The Manning's School.

His dream

"This was always his dream, to one day see me wear the 'black hat'," said DSP Beckford, who is a trained detective and also the officer in charge of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).

At first, he tried to convince her to accompany him to Kingston to join the force; she declined as her ambition was to become a paediatrician. However, five years after Cpl Daley got enrolled in the JCF, his beloved cousin followed his footsteps.

Today marks exactly one year since Cpl Daley was slain and to family members, including his two daughters, colleagues and friends, it was like yesterday.

Missed by staff

"There is not a day when his name is not called in this (CISOCA) office. He is missed by the entire staff and close friends, such as DSPs Norman 'Sticky' Hamilton, Michael Phipps, Inspector Winston Hunt and Cpl Shawna Campbell of MIT," said DSP Beckford.

Daley and Beckford come from a strong line of security personnel. Their grandfather was a district constable; his son (DSP Beckford's father) was also a district constable; Cpl Daley's nephew is now a serving member of the JCF, while his brother is a member of the Jamaica Defence Force.

DSP Phipps, who is spearheading the investigation into Daley's death, told The Gleaner yesterday that one suspect has already been charged, while a second was killed during a shoot-out with the police. A third, known only as 'Harry Dog', is still on the run.