Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

St. Catherine:

Minister of National Security Derrick Smith says that under his tenure, persons who kill policemen and other public servants will be paying fully for their actions. He said these persons show no regard for life.

The National Security Minister was speaking at the funeral of the late Special Corporal Garrett Smith, who was fatally shot in Red Pond (Frasers Content), St. Catherine.

"I do not know what this police officer could have done to receive this callous action from criminals and we will not be doing much talking, we will be walking the walk where the question of criminality is concerned," Mr. Smith said.

He said this wickedness cannot be allowed to go on and must be stopped.

The lawman, whose life was snuffed out at 47 years old, was one of two persons shot and killed while at a bar on August 29.

The views of the minister were echoed by Dr. Ken Baugh, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of parliament for the area. Noting that Smith was shot 26 times, Dr. Baugh questioned what the policeman could possibly have done to be so brutally slain.

Inspector Christopher Bowen, chairman of the Special Constable Association, said the time had come for women to give greater assistance to ensure that gunmen are brought to justice.