Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
Police personnel, in a sombre mood, prepare to exit the Trench Town community of Kingston, where two of their colleagues were ambushed and killed yesterday. In background left is Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin.

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

They were ambushed and shot repeatedly. Within seconds, the bodies of constables Cornell Grant and Delano Lawrence were lying on the ground in their uniforms on Third Street in Trench Town, where they and two colleagues had gone on foot patrol.

The killing of the two constables, who were attached to the Kingston Western Police Division, brings to five the number of police personnel to have been killed since the start of the year.

Police reports are that just after midday, constables Grant, Lawrence and their two colleagues were patrolling Third Street after a double murder the night before. When the two constables entered premises there, they were attacked by armed men.

The gunmen escaped with one of the policemen's nine-millimetre pistol and an M16 rifle. The police say they have identified suspects.

Stunned

When The Gleaner visited the area yesterday, scores of police personnel, stunned by the killing of their colleagues, were observed on the scene.

Sections of Collie Smith Drive, and other streets in the area, were cordoned off while the police conducted their investigations.

Rather than carry out Labour Day activities, residents in the community gathered and discussed the day's event.

Several senior officers, including Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and deputy commis-sioners of police Jevene Bent and Mark Shields, were also on the scene.

"Him seh him never feel like guh pon di road," said one of Constable Grant's colleagues, who was obviously saddened by the passing of his coworker.

"Mek mi guh si him, mi want to go and see him. If mi fi drop down, mek me drop down, but mi waan fi si him," wailed Constable Grant's sister. She was, however, advised not to go to the scene.

Leg almost severed

The Gleaner was told that one of the constable's legs was almost severed. The news team also learnt that one of the policemen's gun jammed as he tried to fire.

"Him leg tear up. You can actually see the bone," remarked the constable's colleague.

Meanwhile, Lewin said the demise of the officers was a clear indication of what members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) faced daily "and the savagery of the enemy in our midst". He said yesterday was a sad day for members of the JCF.

Lewin told reporters on the scene that those responsible would be caught and punished. He said the JCF was offering a $1 million reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of the two constables.

Condemned the attack

In the meantime, Minister of National Security Colonel Trevor MacMillan condemned the attack. He urged members of the JCF to remain steadfast, resolute and professional in carrying out their duties, despite the adversities they faced.

Corporal Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation, also condemned the killing of the policemen, saying they were two foot soldiers who were serving and protecting the community, despite trying circumstances.

Opposition Spokesman on National Security Dr Peter Phillips expressed condolences to the family and friends of the two policemen. He said the slaying of the lawmen was even more disturbing as it occurred on Labour Day.

District Constable Vincent Duncan, who is attached to the Admiral Town police, said he spoke with Grant and Lawrence yesterday morning. He also said he went on patrol with Grant on Wednesday and described him as a quiet person.

"Just yesterday (Thursday) I told him to let us go on the road and he (Grant) said, 'Don't rush it, because you know we don't have any luck already'," Duncan said.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com