By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie joined family and friends of Constable 983 Latorio “Rio” Demeritte to bid farewell to the 25-year-old officer yesterday, stating that despite having lived for just a short time, his memory is evident in those who loved him.

Mr Christie said the death of Constable Demeritte was a “personal” one for him. He said he had a brief, but deep discussion with the late constable the Saturday before his death when he was able to learn about the officer.

“We spoke about life, marriage, his beautiful wife and his family,” Mr Christie said at the service at Bahamas Faith Ministries. “I was trying to convince him not to be like the other officers I have been privileged to meet over my years in public life. But, talking to this young man I learned quickly that he was unique and special. It is with a heavy heart that I stand here and when I leave this church and make my way into parliament it will be with a heavy heart.”

“There have been dynamics in my life and in this country that are so troubling that they become nearly impossible to understand. This is certainly one of those instances,” Mr Christie said.

“I felt this one as if it was my son, that’s how I was able to understand and rationalise this. I recall on that day he pulled into my yard with the other officers and I went out to speak with him. During that conversation I learned so much about this young man, so much that I made it a point to be here today.”

He added: “I question these moments when a life so full, a life like this officer is taken away. But I find solace when I look at the people he loved and who loved him.”

Minister of National Security, Dr Bernard Nottage labelled P/C Demeritte as hardworking and the best example of an officer. He said: “He could be called on at the last-minute to assist fellow officers, that is something that should be committed.”

“Today is an opportunity to thank all the other officers that serve our society, those are men and women that work to protect us. These young men and women deserve our support, deserve our recognition and certainly, they deserve our praise.”

Other dignitaries attending included the Turks and Caicos’ Minister of Government Support Services George Lightbourn and the present House of Assembly Speaker Robert Hall.

At the time of his death, P/C Demeritte was a part of a police convoy escorting the body of the former House of Assembly speaker for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Rosita Beatrice Missick-Butterfield, for a handover ceremony at Odyssey Airport. Ms Missick-Butterfield died at Doctor’s Hospital on January 10.

Police said that around 9am on February 2, the officer was travelling west on John F Kennedy Drive on his police motorcycle when he lost control and crashed into a utility pole.

He died of his injuries at the scene shortly afterwards, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean.