Tears for ‘good’ cop

Tears flowed freely yesterday from family, friends and colleagues who gathered to bid farewell to a “good officer” Constable Omah Marajah. A funeral service was held at his residence at Cooper Street, Cane Farm, Tacarigua. Officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Regiment, Coast Guard, the DPP’s office, and the Airport Authority stood silent as Marajah was praised by officiating religious members and public officials. The 43-year-old Marajah was killed Friday night when he and two other officers from the Piarco Police Station responded to a report of a robbery in progress at the Amerijet Cargo Service, Piarco.

The bandits opened fire and PC Marajah was shot as he sat at the wheel. An explosive device was then thrown into the police vehicle which exploded with Maharaj trapped in the vehicle. His screams attracted other officers who pulled him out of the vehicle. Two bandits died later as a result of police gunfire. At the funeral service, his mother, Sita Chandar Marajah, had to be consoled and a doctor was called when she complained of breathing problems. Solomon Persad and Pastor Dan Maharaj officiated at the service.

Marajah was cremated at the Caroni Cremation Site where the police fired a military gun salute in his honour. Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, who attended the funeral, told Newsday that the Ministry of National Security would continue with its efforts to fight crime. Junior Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, who spoke at the service, said he feels more committed to fighting crime.  A Piarco Village resident who came to pay her last respects said Marajah was a good officer and the community needed more officers such as Marajah. “He was always there! We have too much crime in Trinidad and Tobago. They need to put the Piarco police at the old airport,” she said. She added that there are many “fireside” police who like to lime and they should be back on the job. She said the explosion was felt by many residents in the district.