‘… a classical example of courage, bravery and determination to confront armed and dangerous criminals’
Oslyn Travis Glasgow, 27, of Fyrish, Corentyne was buried on Saturday, fittingly with full military honours for a young man who paid the ultimate price for trying to protect the community in which he served.
Oslyn Travis Glasgow
Detective constable, Glasgow was killed two Fridays ago after he and a team of officers from the Whim Police Station confronted three heavily-armed pirates who were also killed.
The dead pirates who were later identified as ex-soldiers James Gibson and Cliff Chichester and Cranston Gill opened fire on the police.
Glasgow’s colleagues, ceremonially attired, carried his casket which was draped with a red and blue flag from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
A funeral service was held at the Christian Charismatic International Mission Church at Williamsburg, Corentyne prior to the burial at Fyrish where officers bade farewell to their fallen hero with a 21-gun salute.
Glasgow’s siblings and other close relatives broke down in loud wails before and after the sermon which was conducted by Pastor Hemraj Dipoo.
The cop’s mother, Doreen with his son, Javis Akon Glasgow.
His mother, Doreen Glasgow remained composed as she held his son, three-year-old Javis Akon Glasgow and sang along with the hymns that were emanating from the church before the proceedings began.
In a tribute, Pastor Phillip Campbell said that Glasgow who was part of the church choir had attended their prayer meeting the morning before his demise.
He attended the Cropper Primary School before moving on to the Lower Corentyne Secondary. Upon completion he worked briefly at a rice mill before joining the force.
His death was described by Commander of ‘B’ Division, Krishna Lekhraj as being “a classical example of courage, bravery and determination to confront armed and dangerous criminals.”
In a brief profile, he said Glasgow joined the force on December 10, 2001 after graduating from the Felix Austin Police College at Adventure, Corentyne. He was first stationed at the Whim Police Station and then at the Albion station in the general duties section.
Oslyn Glasgow’s colleagues bade him farewell with the 21-gun salute.
He served as court orderly for the Whim and Reliance Magistrate’s Court and also performed duties in the Quick Reaction Group in the number 2 sub-division. He was also “incorporated in patrols…”
In April of this year he became a member of the Criminal Investigation Department. Lekhraj told the large gathering at the service that he feels a personal loss at Glasgow’s demise and that it would remain in his memory.
On the night before Glasgow was killed Lekhraj stopped the patrol around 9:20 and challenged the leader of the team to catch the criminal elements and to provide results.
He issued a call for the community to work in partnership in with the force. The commander pledged to continue supporting the family.
His teammates bearing the casket.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee in his remarks said that Glasgow must be honoured and respected as he was killed in the line of duty. He mentioned that the police are making “such great sacrifice” while many are enjoying leisure with their families.
“Gone are the days when policemen would run and hide during this type of action when the criminals had the upper hand.”
He said Glasgow was brave enough to go on an armed, lethal confrontation with criminals in which “equally powerful firearms were involved. He played an important role in dismantling the gang… and even though he is dead, he is a hero.”
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Lekhraj told Stabroek News that Glasgow “is yet another example of a demonstration of the willingness to put his life on the line for the protection of his community and the country as a whole.”
He said too that entire team that was part of the operation must be highly commended for showing their determination in confronting armed and dangerous criminals.
He said that like in the past, the Police Administration would provide the necessary assistance to his beneficiaries – son and mother.
He also acknowledged that there has been “an outpouring of assistance from the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, the University of Guyana Berbice Campus, individuals and business persons.”
Lekhraj pointed out that the family met with the Commissioner of Police during last week while the police in Berbice “have been providing all the assistance in direct ways. I see the assistance of the community as an indirect support to fight the bandits.”
Kennrick Parris, Chairman of the Police Association which looks after the welfare of all the ranks told this newspaper that they are looking at a policy document that deals with benefits for relatives of officers who die in the line of duty.
He said the association would engage the police and government to make it a number one priority for next year because “a police officer cannot know when he leaves home if he would return alive.”
He said the association currently has a benevolent fund to which officers contribute monthly and that they are looking to increase the fund. He stated that Glasgow’s death would not go in vain and was happy that the perpetrators have been caught.
The pirates had also held five fishermen hostage and eventually killed one of them, Hector Boodhoo, 57, whose nude body was found bound to a tree with cuts on his ear and the back of his neck.
Among other persons in attendance were chairman of Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha, Community Relations Officer, Fizal Jafarally, Commander of ‘C’ Division, Balram Persaud and Crime Chief, ‘B’ Division, Marlon Chapman.
This news article does not disclose how much compensation the Glasgow family will receive.
Kennrick Parris claims that the Police Association are looking at a policy document that deals with benefits for relatives of officers who die in the line of duty.
That is hardly going to help this heroic officer who died in the line of duty. Readers would like reassurance that the Glasgow family will not suffer economic hardship.
Although we all wish that this fine officer was still with us, it is the least Guyana can do to bury Oslyn Travis Glasgow, 27, of Fyrish, Corentyne with full military honours..
It is fitting that DC Glasgow’s colleagues were ceremonially attired and carried his casket which was draped with a red and blue flag from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The 21-gun salute was indeed a final heroic farewell.
Pastor Phillip Campbell comment that Glasgow who was part of the church choir had attended their prayer meeting the morning before his demise shows what a fantastic citizen/son Guyana has lost. Gunned down by merciless criminal elements.
Thank you Stabroek News for a most wonderful article. A fitting tribute to an honourable son of Guyana.
Oslyn Travis Glasgow is a fitting role model to which we should all aspire.
As I write this posting, my radio here in the UK is playing the John Lenon’s song IMAGINE. That in its own way is tribute.
You’ve said it for all of us who would have wanted to attend Olsyn’s graduation, but couldn’t. Knowing Oslyn, I’m certain he would have gone after the criminals with a baton alone, if necessary. He was a duty-bound person. I am also certain he was the epitome of the ABSOLUTELY UNCORRUPTIBLE COP. But, unlike the legendary Serpico, he did not survive the bullets of the dacoits. RIP, DC Oslyn Glasgow.
And yes,imagine. Imagine there’s no politics, no politicians, no racism and no racists.
If i’m right i think that the family will receive a one million dollar policy. hardly enough in these times in Guyana.
I DID NOT SEE ANY REPORTS OF THE ACTING Police Commissioner WHY DID HE NOT ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF THIS POLICE MAN WAS THIS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARENT HIS ATTENDANCE
now that Glasgow is laid to rest,please Mr president see to it that the family is fully taken care of,look at the mother of mr Glasgow,she look’s disappointed(as if she is saying that my son is gone now who will look at me and his son.)i am in tears i can’t write anymore…………..THE MASTER WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY,R.I.P MY BROTHER.
It’s really sad when an upright and outstanding young man leaves us like this.
To his mom…..sorry for your loss, you have raised a fine person. I’m deeply moved.
To his wife…..keep faith and raise your children well.
“A classical example of courage bravery and determination to confront armed and dangerous criminals,” but with no proper vest to protect him and others from scumbags with AK’s 47. He did paid the ultimate price, but not only to the community he served, the entire Country. A Government, who strung him on the line to dry, without clothes pins.
His casket was draped with Guyana’s Flag, was this Flag folded and given to his mother, who in turn would pass it down to his son,? give Oslyn’s mom the flag, also the “Green Flags.”
Ms. Glasgow remained composed because the death of her son has not sunk in as yet, I’m a mother, and others like us (mothers,) becomes confused, hurt and totally wrecked, when our child/children becomes demised and worst so, because of an untimely death, scumbags decided to create, like if it’s an order of a “take out meal.”
Commander of “B” Divisio, Krishna Lrkhraj, should have had the courage, bravery and determination to confront Mr. Greene for proper vest.
Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, stated(our dear)Oslyn “must be honoured and respected, as he was killed in the line of duty,”don’t insult us parent/s and citizens, Oslyn was killed like an animal because of a cheap vest that he was wearing, because the Government, Mr. Greene, Mr. Rohee and all those concerned, failed to protect him and policemen/women, who has to confront these “SCUMBAGS”, Oslyn was another “Great Sacrifical Lam’, because of cheap vest given to him, plain and simple.
Mr. Rohee, we don’t need “while many others are enjoying leisure, with their families”, you, Mr. Rohee and others in the GPF and Government are also enjoys leisures with your families, the kettle calling the pot black.
Yourself and Commander of “B” Division, are opening up a can of worms, I hope everyone would read yourself and Commander Lekhraj’s statements properly, what a shame on all of you, call a “Spade a spade”.
Doreene and Javis don’t need “Sweet Talk,” they need a written apology and payment for the demised of her son and grandson, who needs compensation, and must be taken care of until he has finished college.
No more hog wash speeches, PAY UP!.
Your letter started out in good faith but ended with your scorn and prejudice,it was also a political cuss down,people like you use these sombre occasions that are sad to launch your attacks on the government. Have the decency to give the family time to grieve and wait till the GPF take care of their protocol.
The family should take legal action againist GPF for failing to provide appropriate protective gear to this brave sun of the soil
THE GOOD ALWAYS DIE YOUNG, it’s a shame.
hope his son is taken care of until he finishes college, and a scholarship fund is set up.
i hope the rest of the scumbags take note, crime dont pay and the innocent pays dearly.
may this fine police rest in peace, oslyn travis glasgow, now at least the COP should have made an appearance at the funeral for this police man who was gunned down in the line of duty.
Thank You Stabroek News for following up with this story that touched so many hearts.
I am very pleased that Officer Glasgow was honoured with such a fitting burial. His son will remember the bravery of his father through this ceremony. I am also glad to see the dignitaries turned out in full force to honour this young man’s contribution to our beloved country. Peace be unto his soul!
I Think people should give the family some breeding space ,also the Gpf and other gov’t organisation should assist Glasgow family and all other Police that get killed in the line of duty.