Funeral Procession For Sargeant Francis
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
December 25, 2008 (CUOPM)
Hundreds of mourners paid their last respects to 17-year veteran of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Sgt. Junior Michael Francis, who was buried with full military honours on Tuesday.
A Thanksgiving Service for the Life of the 38-year-old police officer was held at the Christian Life Assembly at Bladens with Pastor Roosevelt Lawrence, Force Chaplain, Pastor Leroy Benjamin, Pastor Janet Paul and Pastor Bernard Boland officiating.
Among the mourners were St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of National Security. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, former Minister of National Security, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, officials of the Ministry of National Security, the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, senior government officials and residents of St. Paul’s, birthplace of Sgt. Francis.
Tributes were said by the Sandy Point High School, John Mills, WPC Smithen and PC Brandy, prior to the start of the Service.
During the Service, former Minister of National Security, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Williams, the Graduating Class of Police Course #22, the Christian Life Assembly Church and nurses from the Joseph N France General Hospital gave tributes.
Laurizine Richards played special music; a poem was rendered by Kerissa Cozier, Ms. Jovil Taylor, read the First Scripture; Edmund Belle, the Second Scripture Reading and a Speech Selection by Police Inspectors Wyatt and Hughes
The Eulogy was delivered by barrister at law and brother of the deceased, Mr. Ricaldo Caines.
Following the Service, hundreds of shoppers and curious on lookers lined the street to view the casket draped in the National Flag as the military procession led by the Mourning Party as well as the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Band, the Police Band, platoons of the police, defence force and coast guard made their way to the Springfield Cemetery, the final resting place.