Officer laid to rest with full military honours

Led by the country’s Head of State, a nation today bade farewell to a police officer in a solemn and dignified funeral service also attended by the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet ministers, the senior ranks of the police force and scores of family and neighbours of a close-knit St Peter community.

It was the final farewell for acting Station Sergeant Newton Carmichael Lewis. His parents Alincia Lewis and Anthony Lewis; his wife Kathy, children and other close family watched as his colleague mourners bore his remains to the graveside.

Minutes later, the piercing sound of the gun salute elicited screams from his step daughter Donnisha and sobs from his wife and other family members and together told the story of grief and loss for the young family of Rose Hill. Lewis, 46, the assigned driver and protection officer of the Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, was killed almost three weeks ago by armed gunmen who allegedly attempted to rob a small business in the area. They remain at large.

As The Last Post was sounded by the band of the Royal Barbados Police Force, policemen raised their hands in salute as the grieving widow, trembling, rested her head in the comforting arms of a loved one as the casket was slowly lowered to its final resting place at Casaurina Gardens,

Lewis’ death triggered national outrage and an outpouring of grief and support for his young family.

Today’s salute to his life, started yards away from his home and the spot where he succumbed to gun injuries and continued with military precision along Benn Hill to the Chapel of Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens at Pleasant Hall, St Peter where the pain and sadness of those suffering from the loss were evident on the faces of those gathered.

The hundreds that joined Lewis’ friends and loved ones, heard that he was a first-class police officer and an exceptional family man and human being.

Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Attorney General Dale Marshall, Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham, Member of Parliament for St Peter Colin Jordan, Director of Public Prosecution Donna Babb-Agard, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Colonel Glyne Grannum, Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, members of the Cabinet and the judiciary, were among the dignitaries present for the service.

Lewis’ neighbour and close family friend, retired Police Inspector Lionel “Slappy” Ward delivered the eulogy and told those gathered at the Chapel that it was around 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 while he was at home in bed that the deceased’s step daughter came to his room and informed him that a robbery was in progress two houses away.

“Truthfully, that was no concern of mine. Nothing to do with Lionel Ward. But hearing that Newton had gone there, I sprang into action against the advice of my wife and son and left home to assist. There was no hint of his imminent demise. On reaching him, I was met by a hail of bullets; several, rapid, extremely loud explosions.

“Unfortunately, in the most violent, vicious and cruel matter Newton lost his life by the actions of a person. In retrospect, I should not use the word person at all. A cold-blooded, heartless, indifferent, insensitive, uncaring and unsympathetic hooligan, … because of the goodness of God mine [life] was spared”.

The retired ace detective said seconds after Lewis’ death, a sombre mood enveloped the community where residents admired and respected him as a humble, decent man who became an officer and had a bright future, but was snatched from his loved ones in the prime of his life.

Ward said Lewis was a family-oriented individual who was focused on improving the lives of his loved ones. He said the young man, known as the jack of all trades, got up as early as 5 a.m. on weekends to carry out work on his house.

“My family and his family were closely-knit. It was my influence which propelled him to making policing a career where he remained until his untimely death. As neighbours and police officers we were inseparable. We had an awfully close relationship and communicated every day.

“He saw me as his mentor, his trainer and the one that would give him advice on police matters and investigative techniques and strategies. We had elevated conversations. When preparing for promotional exams, he would never attend lectures. He would send me the syllabus and in two sessions he was ready to sit and pass,” Ward recalled.

Delivering a tribute, Lewis’ proud father Anthony Lewis boasted that his son did not have prized possessions, but he did have a good reputation and was respected. He stressed that his son was not known to have bad habits, and only once has he ever seen him angry after he played in a cricket match and his team from The Whim was beaten by two runs and he was forced to defend his teammates. Anthony said he was happy whenever he heard his son call him ‘dad’.

Anthony said: “I was not the only person that Newton made glad. I want to say to you this evening Mr Commissioner, and Mr Deputy Commissioner, Newton make you glad. I want to say to the Attorney General who said he died a hero, so that means he made him glad. And I want to say to all you beautiful women and men in the Barbados Police Force, past and present, Newton make you all glad. Why? He had a reputation that was more precious than riches or gold.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Branch in the tribute from the force, said Lewis, a person of sound character and warm personality, accentuated a service model and served his country without a complaint during his 26 years with the force.

The Assistant Commissioner said the well-rounded officer served at District A, Belleplaine, Crab Hill and Central Police Stations, where his colleagues were happy to work with him because of his willing and helpful demeanour. He was assigned to Motor Transport and remained there until his untimely passing.

Branch said: “As you all know. Newton was assigned protection officer to the Commissioner of Police Mr Tyrone Griffith. When asked about his thoughts of Newton, the Commissioner said, ‘he was extremely committed and professional but most of all caring’.

“I recall one day at work feeling faint and out of it and when I told Lewis he became very emotional. He seemed to take on my feelings as if it was him. A truly great officer and a person. I am going to miss him’.”

“We understand that bad things happen to good people. But it should not happen to officers who do all the right things when protecting his community,” Branch added, as he spoke of the exceptional Police Officer who loved law enforcement with a burning passion.

Lewis’ friend, mentor and father figure, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Bertie Hinds spoke highly of a working relationship and friendship with Lewis whom he described as a tower of strength, committed, dedicated, honest, good humored, productive, modest, family oriented and virtuous.

Real Estate Agent Julie Dash, who said she met Newton 20 years ago when he was a young policeman and they developed a bond, indicated that over the past few weeks she has remained close to Lewis’ relatives and pledged to always be there for them.

Dash said that while at lunch with Lewis’ wife and children she became more familiar with the precious bond they shared.

Dash shared: “Donnisha Watson (stepdaughter) told me that she wants to be a teacher. She said that she wants to be influential in people’s lives like Newton was. We must do all that we can to support her. Then she told me the saddest thing that that day we were lucky to have Luann (daughter) with us because she didn’t want to come. When I asked why ever not, she [Donnisha] said she was afraid; she was frightened because the person who did this is still out there. That broke me up. We must pray right now for change.”

Reverend Derek Ward who delivered the sermon asked the congregation to embrace hope in the face of death, elevate hope in the resurrection, and encourage each other in the hope of the glorious reunion.

“In Christ, what was meant to be a hopeless end has now become endless hope. So may God bless you as you find comfort and hope in the face of death,” Ward said.
(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)