Farewell salute for Constable Kellyman

The life of Constable Keron Kellyman Jr was celebrated with tears, prayers and heartfelt tributes as relatives, friends and fellow police officers gathered at Faith Gospel Hall in Seaforth, St Thomas, on Saturday, to bid farewell to the young lawman whose life was cut short at just 25.

Throughout the service, speakers painted the picture of a devoted police officer, loving father and grandson, and a man whose quiet nature was matched only by his compassion for others.

Delivering the official eulogy on behalf of Assistant Commissioner of Police Derby, acting in charge of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, a representative said Kellyman left an indelible mark on the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“We honour him not only for the years he wore the uniform, but for the integrity, commitment, and dedication he showed throughout his tenure as a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force,” the tribute said.

Kellyman, born February 4, 2021, was the second of two sons for his parents, Keron Snr and Latoya Davis. He attended Seaforth Primary School and later St Thomas Technical, then Seaforth High schools.

Kellyman entered the JCF as a young recruit in 2021 and spent the next four years proving himself as a hard-working and committed officer.

In the final six months of his life, Kellyman served in St Thomas as a member of the Highway Safety Patrol Division, where colleagues said he wasted no time proving himself as a dedicated and disciplined officer until his death on April 28.

His colleagues remembered him as “quiet, reserved, and a no-nonsense person who avoided confrontation”, adding that he was hard-working, punctual, and never cited for any breach of discipline.

“He brought a light so great to those who were fortunate to have known him that, even after his passing, the light has remained,” the eulogy stated.

Speaking on behalf of the Jamaica Police Federation, Constable Coy Marriot described Kellyman as “not only reliable but also a pillar of strength to his community and his colleagues alike”.

“He was a team player who loved to incite jokes, but always the first to check on the well-being of everyone,” Marriot said.

He added that, from the beginning of his policing career, Kellyman “approached his duties with a sense of purpose and respect for everyone he encountered”, and that “his unwavering commitment to protect and serve was evident in his everyday interaction”.

Marriot also said the young constable’s journey “stands as a testament to hard work and ambition” adding that “the impact he made to his family, friends, and colleagues will never be forgotten”.

One of the most emotional moments of the service came when a remembrance was read on behalf of Kellyman’s grandmother, Joan Thompson, who affectionately called him KK.

“My heart is aching and my spirit is crushed. Yet, even in my sorrow, I am grateful for the beautiful memories that KK left with us,” the tribute read.

She recalled how he greeted her with “a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek” every time they met, and remembered their final encounter at a function in Morant Bay.

“He came to me and asked, ‘Grandma, you want something to drink?’ When I said yes, he returned with a ginger beer for me. It may seem like a simple act, but it perfectly captures who KK was. Someone who cared, someone who thought about others, and someone who always sought to make others comfortable and happy.”

Kellyman was among two men killed in a motor vehicle crash along the Seaforth main road in St Thomas.