Christopher Brown, 15-year-old student of Titchfield High School, hugs Dr. Merle Barrett, daughter of late police sergeant, Delton Barrett, as she awarded him the Delton Barrett Memorial Scholarship in honour of her father. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER Brown's dream of becoming a chartered accountant received a big boost last Friday when he was named the first recipient of the Delton Barrett Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was named in honour of a police sergeant who served the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for 25 years and four months. He was born in Portland in May 1917, joined the JCF in July 1939. However, in 1961, he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Three years later, his case was reviewed by the medical board and he was found to be physically unfit to continue service in the JCF. He was discharged in November 1964.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of her father's death, Dr. Merle Barrett decided to offer a scholarship in his memory. She met with Assistant Commissioner Jevene Bent and criteria to select the most needy child were decided. The child should be a resident of either Portland, Manchester, St. Catherine or Westmoreland.
Brown is a fourth form student of Titchfield High School in Portland. The scholarship covers the bill for his external examinations next year.
One of the main criteria for the scholarship is that the beneficiary should be a needy child of a policeman killed in the line of duty or of a policeman who became disabled while serving the JCF. Young Brown fits this criteria because he is the son of Sergeant Cleveland Brown, who suffered a major stroke in March this year. The sub-officer, who is attached to the Portland Division, has since become disabled and is currently hospitalised. He was the breadwinner for his family.
