The T&T Police Service (TTPS) lost another officer to COVID-19 on Monday.
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith told Guardian Media this was the sixth police officer who died from the virus.
In a statement yesterday, the Police Commissioner and the Executive of the TTPS extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt Gary Harvey who died at 6.30 am on May 31, while undergoing treatment at the Augustus Long Hospital, Pointe-à-Pierre.
Sgt Harvey was visually impaired but despite this, was promoted and continued to serve as an active police officer.
The TTPS said Sgt Harvey, who had over 25 years of service, was last assigned to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU).
However, he spent most of his policing career at the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI).
He leaves to mourn his wife and daughter.
His passing is said to have left his immediate colleagues distraught.
The TTPS said one of Sgt Harvey’s colleagues Insp Hezron Lynch, who worked very closely with him at HBI since 2005, described him as an officer who was extremely dedicated and was a people-oriented law enforcement officer.
Insp Lynch said, “Since I started working with Sgt Harvey back in 2005, he has always been a gem, a true gentleman and a very, very people-oriented person. I say that without any degree of reservation.”
“He always had his colleagues’ backs and we will always remember him as a very warm and persistent officer,” Insp Lynch added.
Insp Lynch added that though Sgt Harvey was visually impaired over the last few years, “he remained steadfast and persevered in his quest in achieving excellence”.
He explained, “Sgt Harvey, though blind, underwent his Inspector promotion interview and managed to rank 79th on the merit list out of 504 officers,” he said.
“That goes to show the type of officer he was!”
Just last week Tobago Division officer Glenroy Daniel died from the virus.
Sgt Harvey is the sixth officer to die from COVID.
There are 260 police officers COVID-positive, with over 1,000 in quarantine.
