The executive of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association (PSWA) is offering a "substantial reward" for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the death of a policeman who was gunned down in a botched robbery attempt at a supermarket on Olton Road, Arima on Saturday night.
The policeman was identified as 54-year-old Sheldon Peterson.
Police said around 7.30 pm on October 19, Peterson was standing outside Awesome Food and Drink Ltd at the corner of Olton Road, Arima, when a brown Nissan Almera drove into the parking lot.
Masked gunmen came out of the Almera and confronted Peterson and another man.
Peterson took out his licensed pistol and fired two shots in the direction of the gunmen.
He missed and was gunned down. The gunman then took Peterson's gun and ran back into the Almera before it drove off.
Another man who was inside the grocery at the time was also shot and wounded.
Police found six 9 mm spent shells at the scene.
At Peterson's home on Sunday morning, his family declined to speak to the media.
Peterson was suspended from the police service as he and three other policemen were charged with misconduct in office.
A Newsday article on July 14 said four and a half years ago, the trio were committed to stand trial before a judge and jury.
However, key documents from the judiciary that would allow the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to file an indictment against the officers were to be produced.
In an interview, PC Dexter Edwards, speaking on behalf of Peterson and Sgt Lester Garcia, said the slow wheels of justice were too much to bear.
Edwards said they were charged in October 2014 and suspended from duty on three-quarter pay.
Peterson was employed as a security guard at the grocery.
A statement from the PSWA on October 19 confirmed Peterson was a police officer with 25 years of service.
"From footage available in the public domain, it was clear that Peterson exhibited bravery and selflessness in defence of himself and innocent persons nearby as a robbery unfolded before him.
[caption id="attachment_1115804" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Suspended police officer Sheldon Peterson was shot and killed at Awesome Food and Drinks Ltd, on the corner of Eastern Main Road and Olton Road in Arima on Saturday night. - Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
"His actions testified to his commitment to the safety and well-being of others as he fought his ultimately last battle."
The PSWA condemned the action of Peterson's murder and other murders that occur daily.
"It is particularly heinous when those charged with the duty of law enforcement themselves become victims of these killers.
"This can be construed as an attack on the very democracy and social fabric that holds our society from the edge of chaos."
While the PSWA offered the "substantial reward" for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, it was not stated what or how much the reward was.
The PSWA concluded the statement saying they join Peterson's family,
