-in tributes at funeral
Hailed as the police chief who ended the 2002-2008 crime spree, lauded as a disciplinarian concerned with the personal development of his ranks, praised for his support of sports, and remembered as a father who stood by his family, former Police Commissioner Wilfred Henry Greene, DSS, DSM, was laid to rest yesterday following a sombre ceremony that honoured him for his service to the nation.
The National Cultural Centre was filled almost to capacity as hundreds of persons from the various arms of the Joint Services turned out to bid farewell to the ‘Big Chief’ on his final journey. President Donald Ramotar, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Secretary of the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon, other government ministers and parliamentarians, the heads of the various arms of the Joint Services and former President Bharrat Jagdeo who appointed Greene as Top Cop despite pressure from one foreign mission not to do so, were among the dignitaries in attendance.
Clad in a dark suit with a red striped tie, Greene’s body lay in a white casket on the NCC stage adorned with the red, white and dark blue colours of the Guyana Police Force. A similar arrangement greeted mourners in the lobby and inside a slideshow of photos of Greene involved in various activities beamed throughout the ceremony. More photos and posters of the former commissioner were mounted at various points at the NCC as Greene – the friend, father and the professional – was remembered in the over three hour-long tributes and funeral service. His casket arrived at the NCC in a white hearse escorted by two police outriders and at the end of the ceremony at close to 4pm, it was borne away in the same manner to the Golden Grove cemetery for burial.
Greene died in a horrific accident on September 7 at Waller’s Delight, West Coast Demerara, which also claimed the life of ten-year-old Shaffiya Jamaluddin. Police said that the former top cop died as a result of a fractured spine while a senior officer said that this was in combination with severe internal haemorrhaging. Greene was driving his SUV along the roadway when he reportedly veered into the lane of a car, which was travelling in the opposite direction, resulting in a head-on collision. He was 58.
Greene took over responsibility for the Guyana Police Force on Friday, July 24, 2006, when then Commissioner of Police, Winston Gordon Felix, proceeded on pre-retirement leave. He was the ninth national of Guyana to command the Force since its establishment on July 1, 1839. During his tenure, Greene presided over some of its major successes such as taking out the infamous Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins gang, but his recent years in the Force were filled with controversy.
Recollections of him yesterday dwelt on both the personal and the professional and the various roles he played in the causes he supported. It was left to Ramotar to point out Greene’s major triumph in his brief tribute. The President said that Greene was dedicated to public service and, more particularly, to the security of nation. “The Government of Guyana had confidence in Henry Greene so much so that his service was extended beyond the age of 55,” he said. The President said that the nation will always be grateful to Greene because it was when he was commissioner that the raging crime spree which began in 2002 was brought to an end.
The tributes began emotionally when members of the Police Wives Association recalled Greene’s assistance to the organization. Representative of the Ex-police Association, Donald Bollers also lauded the former top cop’s contribution to the organization of which he was the patron, and said that he showed interest in their desires and ideals. “He was not a paper patron. He was an active patron,” he said, adding that Greene spared no pains in assisting them in myriad ways including financially and legally as well as supporting projects to ensure their sustainability. “When we heard of this accident, it sounded unbelievable,” he said. “Henry died like a soldier, he stood up on his feet but because of his injuries, he fell.”
Assistant Commissioner George Vyphius recalled his former chief fondly. Apart from being his boss, he reminisced, Greene was a close friend but one who always pushed to do his work. Vyphius said that Greene served with distinction in almost all police divisions and was, as well, an avid sportsman who played football, volleyball and table tennis. He was also concerned about the personal development of ranks and also resuscitated youth clubs and scouts in every division, he said. “He always aimed for the best in whatever venture he was willing to undertake,” Vyphius said. The police force and Guyana lost an exemplary figure in Greene, he said.
On a more personal note, Vyphius recalled that Greene sang karaoke and said that the last song they sang together was ‘We are the world.’ He said that they were very close and it was because of Greene that he owns his home today. Vyphius said that everyone felt that he was Greene’s “golden boy” but the former commissioner “had no niceness” and pushed him in his work. “I took all those licks, I took all those letters and I used them as a means of motivation,” he said. “My family will certainly miss him.”
Meantime, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle hailed the ties between the two services under Greene. He said that the top cop was a stickler for discipline, details and procedure. “He was always someone to try to put you on a spot then relax you after,” he recalled. “It was as if we had lost one of our own,” he said, adding that it is now time for the ‘big guy’ to rest. Head of the prison service, Dale Erskine recalled that Greene was a very social man and full of life. “I know he was a man of class,” he said adding that the former top cop etched his name in the police force and Guyana as a whole.
Guyana Defence Force chief, Commodore Gary Best said that Greene was full of life “and I never thought he would pass so suddenly.” In an apparent reference to the controversy that surrounded Greene before his departure from the force, he said that “the not so good part of our life are for the lord to judge not us.”
There is no doubt that Greene touched lots of lives in a positive way, Best said. “He respected me and I respected him.” The GDF head said that Greene was smart, clever and articulate in policing and security matters. “His big heart will remain with us,” he said. “Henry was a good man, I’ll never forget that.”
Others paid tribute to Greene’s contribution to sports, particularly table tennis – a sport which he played and whose association he headed – while his support of the Scouts Association was also hailed, in relation to which it was said that he left a “monumental legacy.” It was also recalled that in his younger days, Greene was a gymnast and a tumbler.
Greene’s cousin, Margaret Downes said that the family could depend on him to come through for them.
“Whatever he did, he did it with a full tank of gas,” she said adding that at the times when he preached the gospel, it was done “Billy Graham style.” He embraced his academic pursuits with excellence, she also pointed out. Greene had pursued studies in and was qualified as an attorney-at-law.
Greene’s adopted daughter, Shellon John spoke of the years of love and strength the family experienced from their father. At times fierce, she said that there are lots of negative remarks concerning her dad’s stature but those speaking know nothing about him. “My father, Henry Greene was a great man,” she declared. John recalled that she lost her biological father while she was very young and Greene patiently won her over. “He has always stood behind me as a support in any of my decisions,” the young woman recalled. She added that she hopes that he knew how much he meant to the family. “To us he was a family man… he was a gentle thoughtful and caring father,” she said.
In the eulogy by Greene’s youngest daughter, 10-year-old Jasmine Greene, she recalled the accident and the death of Jamaluddin who was her age. “My daddy was a very public person. He was different things to different persons,” she said before adding that he was a loving father and husband and she was his princess.
