Slain soldier laid to rest with full honours

Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, Shemton Dodson, who died in the line of duty on Thursday last as Police and Army contingents were carrying out a joint cordon-and-search operation in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, was yesterday laid to rest at Belladrum, nearby his home village of Paradise, West Coast Berbice.

Inexperienced and incompetent Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo (left) viewing the body of slain soldier, Lance Corporal Shemton Dodson, at Newburg Funeral Home.

Dodson, 25, was fatally shot by wanted suspect(s), becoming the first soldier to die in the joint services operations begun last week to flush out and apprehend suspected criminals who use Buxton as a safe haven.

More than 20 other law enforcement officers, most of them Policemen, died under similar circumstances since the upsurge in criminal activities that followed the February 23, 2002 jailbreak.

Dodson’s body lay for public viewing at the Newburg Funeral Home, Norton and Lime Streets, Georgetown, before being taken to Paradise, his home village, for viewing by relatives and friends.

Given full military rights, Commander of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo, heads of the discipline services, including Chief of Staff Michael Atherly, Deputy Police Commissioner Winston Felix, and army colleagues, all paid their respects as relatives and friends did.

Dodson’s body was laid to rest late yesterday afternoon in St. Albans Anglican Church yard cemetery, Belladrum, after the service there.

The service was preceded by about one hour of viewing at Dodson’ former residence from where his colleagues bore his casket, draped with the Golden Arrowhead, as they did the slow-pace march to the church yard.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in his tribute on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, said, “We mourn the loss of a brave and courageous soldier who laid down his life in the service of the people of this country.”

Hinds noted that Lance Corporal Dodson, in giving his life, has, as we all now know, helped to save another. There is nothing more heroic, noble and honorable in life than to give life in the rescue and or service of another,” he said.

Hinds said Dodson knew where he stood in life; he stood on the side of law and order and on the protection and preservation of the territorial integrity of Guyana.

At this time when criminals feel that they have a license to kill and maim officers to the disciplined forces, the example of this young man in choosing his station in life and being loyal to duty stands as a beacon of hope for our nation.

“While we mourn his passing, we must also celebrate his life. Here was a young man, whom I am told, was full of enthusiasm and who truly loved being a soldier,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister said the death of Dodson would not be in vain. The mission, which he began, would be completed and his life would be remembered and celebrated in the finest traditions of the military.

Dodson leaves to mourn reputed wife Beverly and children Jamal, 5, and Wonika, four years’ old.

Among other officials who attended the funeral service were Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon and Leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Mr. Robert Corbin.