Thursday, March 28, 2024

Slain officer had great love for career

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HUNDREDS WATCHED as a team of police officers lifted the body of late Constable Shayne Welch out of the People’s Cathedral, Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael, and into a waiting hearse.

As they exited the building, they saluted a straight line of grim-faced officers who stood in unison.

Welch, formerly of Kingsland Drive, Christ Church, died after he was stabbed at his home on March 26 following a domestic dispute stemming from an apparent love triangle. A week later, Applon Parris, 26, was charged with his death.

Welch’s coffin was draped in the Barbados Flag, with a rifle and police hat strapped on top of the flag.

At the start of the service, the Royal Barbados Police Force Band led the procession and throughout the service, it played alongside the worship team, who sang hymns such as How Great Is Our God and Still. Sad faces could be seen in the church as the congregation remembered the slain officer.

Rev. Wilma Gill told those gathered about the importance of choices, and asked them to be mindful of the consequences of their decisions.

Acting Superintendent John Maxwell highlighted Welch’s love of his career, and his infatuation with information technology. He said he was able to build a computer from scratch. 

“He was a man of few words. He would answer questions when asked and provide comment when he saw it necessary,” Maxwell said.

Fire still burns

Jason Allman also paid tribute to Welch, whom he said served his country regardless of the risk, great or small.

“Shane was a man of unwavering character and undaunted spirit. He was a professional whose love for his job knew no bounds; a man whose motivation to succeed came with a fire that still burns.

“We will never run short of adjectives to describe the attributes that made Shayne who he was and that created a framework and the foundation he was constructed upon,” Allman said.

Welch was interred at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens.

He joined the Royal Barbados Police Force in 2007 and served at Central Police Station before moving to Oistins. (TG)

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