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What should have been a quiet Labour Day holiday dominated by good will and peaceful cooperation, instead turned into tragedy.
Two policemen were viciously slain by gunmen just after midday Friday on Ninth Street, Federal Gardens popularly known as 'Rema' in Kingston.
Grief and shock were etched on the faces of the numerous policemen and women who streamed into the community from all over the Corporate Area after the killings.
But there was also an overriding sense of anger radiating from the cops as heavy as the heat from the noonday sun, as they tried to come to terms with the brutal slayings.
While dozens of patrol vehicles lined the streets in the area, silent, watchful residents kept far from the spot where Constable Cornel Grant from the Admiral Town Police Station and Constable Delano Lawrence from Denham Town were cut down.
In the maze of homes in a yard on Ninth Street, the body of one of the policemen lay among the debris of a narrow alley, while his colleague lay in a pool of blood inside a barbershop.
The policemen were reportedly members of a party of four who were on patrol duty in the Kingston 12 area.
The four policemen reportedly left their service vehicle and started patrolling on foot.
They were believed to have been ambushed by the gunmen as they neared the barbershop.
Earlier reports were that the gunmen stole two rifles and a handgun - from the bodies of the policemen.
The two surviving members of the patrol team were clearly devastated by the killings and wept openly even as they clutched their service weapons.
But except for murmurs of anger and disbelief, no one was talking.
Police and onlookers remained mum as the media was forced behind the police cordon while the crime scene was processed.
Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin arrived with top-level members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as investigators tried to piece together what had happened.
Minister of National Security Colonel Trevor MacMillan called the killings an "unfathomable horror", especially on a day when communities traditionally gather to work together to improve their lot.
In condemning the shootings, Minister MacMillan said the attack shows the brazen and dastardly behaviour of gunmen.
He said preliminary investigations suggest that the policemen were ambushed, and this clearly reflects the cowardly nature of the shooters
Colonel MacMillan has also expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two policemen.
He called on the members of the Police Force to remain steadfast, resolute and professional in carrying out their duties despite the adversities they face as they continue their fight against the purveyors of evil.
Mr. MacMillan said he has had discussions with Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defense Force Colonel Stewart Saunders with a view to increasing the number of security personnel in the area.
Opposition Spokesman on National Security Dr. Peter Phillips has also extended his condolence to the friends, family and colleagues of the two policemen.
Dr. Phillips said their brutal slaying is all the more disturbing as it occurred on the day when the nation was called upon to work in unison and to demonstrate its collective strength.
He said law abiding citizens are once again being forced to confront another ugly and brutal act of savagery against the Police Force at the hands of criminals who continue to threaten peace and freedom.
Dr. Phillips said the country cannot afford to cower in the face of this type of brazen attack against law and civility.
The former Security Minister once again renewed his call for the government to articulate a plan and tell the country how it intends to address the worsening crime situation.
Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin joined those expressing regret and sadness following the murders of the two Constables.
Commissioner Lewin said the cops were gunned down in a wanton and unforgiving manner.
He said this is also a clear indication of the savagery of the gunmen who members of the police force face daily.
Commissioner Lewin said despite these moments of grief, the JFC could not slacken its commitment to the people of this country.
"This tragic incident, the murder of two of our police officers serves to underscore the grave danger that our police officers face throughout the length and breath of this country, but I wish to assure well thinking Jamaicans that this will only serve to strengthen the resolve of our police officers to ensure that we do our part in ridding this country of the surge of violence," he said.
Commisoner Lewin's sentiments were shared by Chairman of the Police Federation Corporal Raymond Wilson.
Corporal Wilson said the execution-style killing of the cops in ‘Rema' brings to the fore once again the need for social interventions in these inner city communities.
He said this has once again highlighted what the Federation has repeatedly put forward as a means of fighting crime - the recommendation of fixing the arrangement in the community so that they can be properly policed.
"It is sad that it is the lives of our members that (has) opened Jamaica's eyes to the reality of what we have been talking about and the recommendations we have given."
He said the officers were on patrol, not operating in any manner that would provoke their attack.
"They were literally executed just because they were wearing the uniform that (identified) them a peace officer," said Corporal Wilson.
The JCF is offering a reward of $1 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for murdering the two constables.
Anyone who can assist in the investigations is being urged to call Operation Kingfish at 811, Crime Stop at 311 or Police Control at 119.
Two men killed in ‘Rema' Thursday night
The killings of the two policemen come on the heels of the murders of two men and the injuring of another in the same community Thursday night.
Police have identified the two men shot and killed on Lower Second Street in Rema.
They are Oneil Merchant, 33, otherwise called 'Biggy Man' and Nardo Murray, 25.
A 24-year old man who was injured in the shooting remains in hospital in stable condition.
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