T&T Police Service Social and Welfare Association president Michael Seales is calling for a coroner’s inquest to be launched into the shooting incident and subsequent death of Sgt Darryl Honore.
Honore died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Sunday night, having never fully recovered from the injuries he sustained in a gunfight with a colleague outside the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Grand Bazaar last Wednesday.
Seales said given all the circumstances surrounding the incident, “it must be put before a coroner for the coroner to determine if there is an issue.”
Seales also extended condolences to Honore’s family on behalf of the association.
Also extending condolences to the family was Dachin Group chairman Derek Chin.
“On behalf of the staff and management of Ruby Tuesdays we were very sorry to hear of the passing of the policeman who was involved in that altercation at Grand Bazaar last Wednesday night. We are a tenant of the mall and while we do not condone that behaviour, we are indeed sorry that a life was lost,” Chin said.
Chin added that there was certainly a need for the police authorities to re-examine and maybe implement evaluations to assist officers who are experiencing certain emotional issues.
Close colleagues of Honore were yesterday said to be very distraught at the news of his death. One colleague told the T&T Guardian that more needs to be done.
“This could have been avoided. We need to start to help each other and in order for us to protect and serve the people of T&T.”
Another colleague described Honore’s death as a “tragedy.”
“This must never be repeated. He is gone and there can only be speculation as to why this happened but this should never reoccur. There is only talk about Employee Assistance Programme but we need this.
Condolences go out to the family. The sergeant was well-loved and highly respected. He was serious about his duty as a police officer. May his soul rest in peace.”
The investigation into the incident continues under Supt. Sheldon David, of the Northern Division, with oversight by the Professional Standards Bureau.