Police Inspector Sahadeo Singh was honoured with a gun salute and a fly-by of two National Operations Centre helicopters at the Waterloo cremation site, Carapichaima, yesterday. During his funeral service, Singh was described by pastor Clive Dottin as a true ambassador with a quality of nobility. “He was noble and compassionate at the same time. We need to have more Sahadeos out here,” he said.
Dottin, who said Singh worked closely with the people of Laventille, said he was saddened by the views of some residents in the hotspot communities who had publicly rejoiced over his passing. He said he believed those people were afraid to come out and talk the truth about Singh. “The people there do not speak for the majority of the people of Laventille, for he was loved and respected by all. What they said was not the whole story,” Dottin told the gathering.
“Maybe they did not want to say the truth and say a word of commendation for they fear they will be killed for saying good things about Singh,” he added. Acting Minister of National Security, Clifton De Coteau, during his remarks, told the hundreds gathered that Government would consider calls for Singh to be given a national award posthumously.
Delivering the eulogy, DCP Glen Hackett said Singh was the recipient of 27 commendation awards for his dedication, painstaking work and astounding performance in the T&T Police Service (TTPS). “He served T&T with distinction and he will be forever remembered in the TTPS,” Hackett said. Singh’s niece, Tamara Rattansingh, who was inconsolable during the service, described her uncle as a humble man who loved his family unconditionally.
She said Singh, who was fondly called uncle Booj, was a devoted Hindu and was planning to take two weeks leave to prepare for Divali, which will be celebrated later this month. Tears flowed from almost everyone, including senior police, friends, family, neighbours and the media, when his daughter, Reva, was performed artie (a Hindu ritual). She began screaming for her daddy.
“Come back daddy. Why you leave me and gone daddy? I shaking you to wake you up and you not getting up. Wake up daddy! Don’t leave me daddy!”
