Full military rites for slain cop

National Security Minister Martin Joseph and Commissioner of Police, Trevor Paul, were among the hundreds of mourners gathered at the Balmain Presbyterian Church, Couva, for the funeral service of a cop killed by bandits’ bullets.

Mansingh was shot dead last Friday outside Swamber’s Inn and Jackie’s Bar. His colleague, WPC Pearl Gomez, with whom he had responded to the robbery, was also shot.

Mansingh, Gomez and PC Anthony Purcell of the Chaguanas Police Station responded to a robbery at the business place, owned by Frank and Zorina Swamber.

Delivering the eulogy at Mansingh’s funeral, his brother-in-law, Abraham Seecharan, described Mansingh as a very ambitious, dedicated and loving person. "He will be remembered by all for his seemingly permanent smile. He was the life of everything. He was involved in family, work and lime, with friends."

Mansingh, who had 24 years of service in the police force, was also described as a person who avoided racial and political conversations. He feared making enemies in such aspects of life.

As fate would have it, mourners heard yesterday from Seecharan that two weeks before Mansingh’s untimely death, he (Mansingh) gave out copies of a poem titled: "Miss Me, But Let Me Go" to his wife, Chandra, friends and families. "Mansingh died a hero. He died with his boots on and we salute you," Seecharan said.

Chandra, a victim of rheumatoid arthritis, had to be consoled throughout the church service and at the cremation site by relatives. She screamed, "Oh God, my love gone and leave me. What I going to do? Lord help me!" Gomez, the officer who was shot and wounded in the incident, was in tears at the funeral. As the casket was carried out of the church, Gomez let out an ear-piercing scream before collapsing into the arms of co-workers.

At the cremation site, there was a slow march by dozens of police officers, clad in their respective white and navy blue formal suits. Accompanied by the police brass band, the entourage escorted the hearse from Waterloo Road to the pyre.

After a private service for the immediate family and viewing of the body at the cremation site, there was a 21-gun salute, followed by a moment of silence.

Salutes were given by Paul, Central Division’s Snr Supt Barnett Meyers and other high ranking members of the Police Service.