SHANE SUPERVILLE
Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Amidst the grief of his passing, mourners were asked to remember murdered policeman Dale Mayers as someone who defended others even in his last moments.
The call comes from a family member who was identified only as Byron, as he delivered a tribute at Mayers’ funeral at the Arima Seventh Day Adventist Church yesterday.
Mayers, 53, was gunned down on the night of May 13 while liming at the Unique bar on the Montrose Main Road, Chaguanas, with his wife and another friend.
Before he died, Mayers was able to shoot the attacker using his service-issued pistol.
Speaking before a packed church, Byron, who said he was often introduced as Mayers’ “little brother”, said Mayers took his sense of responsibility and duty seriously
“To his last second and with his last breath, he went down with his last choice to never give up. He gave his last breath and his last effort, defending himself and defending his lady who has stood by him for many years.
“He made a choice and she stood with him and we thank you, sister Sharlon, we have you as our sister.”
Byron also reminded mourners that they were not the only ones confronted with the reality of crime, as he referenced the murder toll up to Monday morning, noting that at least 200 other families were facing similar grief.
“Our grief, my grief, is not limited to us, so it seems we only feel it when it comes home,” he said.
“But we have to remember that this (crime) has become a national plague. And this outpouring of grief has been echoed at least 200 other times for the year so far. Just things for us to think about.”
One pastor, in his homily, said finding the words to officiate at Mayers’ funeral was difficult given the tragic nature of his death.
Referring to tributes from relatives and friends who praised Mayers for his friendly demeanour and love for community, the pastor said Mayers’ murder was still an example of the devil’s influence in the material world.
“Why does evil befall sometimes the best among us? Why does evil befall the kindness and sometimes the bravest among us?
“We are not here merely because of the terrible actions of a mortal man. We are here today because friends you know as well as I do that the devil is running loose in our nation.
“We are here today because mankind has drifted away from God. Satan still walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Mayers’ younger sister Denisha Mayers, in her eulogy, said her brother had a natural affinity for vehicles.
She said while Mayers applied to join the TTPS motor pool in his youth, he was only accepted years later owing to his small, light build at the time.
The younger Mayers added that while he was a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, his biggest passion was to his friends and colleagues, evident by the large turnout at the family’s home for his wake.
Mayers’ funeral was well attended, as mourners began pouring into the venue from as early as 9 am.
Within an hour, both the ground floor and balcony of the church were filled to capacity, and late-comers watched the service being live-streamed on YouTube in the lobby.
But even more mourners continued to arrive, lining De Gannes Street, outside the church, sharing memories and stories about Mayers as they waited for the service to end.
Among the relatives and Mayers’ police colleagues were also members of different racing clubs and motorcycle groups in Arima who knew him.
Mayers’ body was carried out by police officers into a waiting carriage towed by a hearse and eventually buried at the Arima Public Cemetery, where officers fired ceremonial rifles in his honour.
However, following this part of the service, motorcyclists took to the street outside of the cemetery, performing stunts and a “rev past” riding as their tribute.