A sister of Lance Corporal Oral Pinnock, the soldier killed last month in a police/military operation in Westmore Gardens in St Catherine, yesterday urged members of the security forces to ensure that he did no die in vain.

Sergeant Pamella Millen, herself a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier, was resolute in her stance as she urged her colleagues to commit to ridding Jamaica of crime.

Andrea Pinnock (centre), the pregnant widow of slain Jamaica Defence Force soldier Lance Corporal Oral Pinnock, is comforted by his sister, Sergeant Pamella Millen and Captain Derrick Brown at yesterday's funeral service for Pinnock held at the Point Hill Baptist Church in St Catherine. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

"Continue to rid our blessed land of the scourge of crime and unlawful persons who have made it their mission to have law-abiding citizens cowering in fear as they loot, plunder and kill at will," she told an overflowing congregation of mourners at Pinnock's funeral service inside the Point Hill Baptist Church in St Catherine.

Having been the one to encourage her brother to join the army 10 years ago, Millen said they often talked about what they would do if faced with death in the line of duty.

"On numerous occasions over the years, we discussed the possibility of dying while carrying out our duties, and we also said that if we are faced with death then we would take out as many criminals as was humanly possible," Millen said.

On May 26, in the wee hours of the morning, she said Pinnock took the life of the gunman who had killed two policemen and whose bullet eventually killed him.

As members of the security forces, she said, they can take comfort in the fact that they have one less criminal to deal with, and that Pinnock died doing what he loved, as he had a passion for the army.

Millen said her brother died like a true soldier, and that it was his valiant effort which saved the lives of his comrades, some of whom would have been killed had it not been for his courageous battle with the criminals.

"Do not let my brother's death be in vain; carry on the mantle as courageous soldiers you are," she said.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who read the scripture lesson, reaffirmed the Government's support for the security forces in the challenging job they do.

"We have to continue to support them in all the work they do so those with no respect for life can be put where they belong," he said.
Golding said while it was the calling of a soldier to be prepared to give up his life for his country, this is on the assumption that it will be in conflicts with foreign forces.

With each tribute delivered for Pinnock, the sentiments were the same. He was an unselfish man who gave too much of himself.

Many sought to comfort his young widow, Andrea, who was expecting the couple's very first child and who punctuated each tribute with screams of "Hallelujah, Jesus".

It was as if the entire community of Point Hill, where Pinnock grew up, along with well-wishers from other sections of the island and a large contingent of security personnel, came to pay respect to him as he was laid to rest at his childhood home with full military honours.

Royal Wright, president of the citizens' association in Kennedy Grove, St Catherine, where Pinnock lived, told how the soldier had always wanted to see a change in that community and dreamt of transforming it into a place like Hope Gardens.

"Kennedy Grove will never be the same without you, and our nation has lost a son because of brutal men who were not born criminals but chose to become one," she said.

Pinnock's superior, Major R A DaCosta, who gave the eulogy, choked as he remembered "a committed soldier" who on the day he was killed was not rostered to work.

He said "time will not dull the excellence of his service", even as he assured Pinnock's widow that their unborn child will have many hands to raise him/her.

The sermon, which left many in a reflective mood, was delivered by Reverend Devon Daley, who also urged the security forces and Jamaicans to stand firm in the face of violence and let nothing move them.