North Coast Times Excusive
Some reports say the two policemen, constablesKeemo Walsh and Andually Smith who was 30 on the day he died, were “running jokes” against each other and later it got serious when Smith pulled his firearm and shot Walsh in his stomach, about 3:45, Sunday, May 3.Other reports say the two cops started quarrelling about a woman who was on the scene, when Walsh was shot, at Grass Hoppa Night Club, White River, Ocho Rios.. Some reports say Smith, the shooter, called for backup although others say it was patrons who called and officers from Ocho Rios station rushed to the scene. Many questions remain about how the scene was handled by the cops and why Smith was left with his gun.Up to now, Walsh’s sister, Kaneel Walsh, says she is still not clear how or why her brother was killed. Ms Walsh denies statements that her brother and Smith were close friends. “They were not buddies, just colleagues. So I want to clear that up. My brother was always at my house and I know all his friends in the squad, and Smith was not one. They were just squad mates,” she said.
DREAM JOB
Keemo Walsh was one (1) of seven children. His sister, Kaneel who is two years older, told the North Coast Times that her brother’s ultimate dream was to become a police officer even though his mother who resides in England, but still played a major role in their lives, did not approve of him going into the Force.
CAREER DAY
Keemo Walsh was a past student of St Mary High School where he graduated with eight (8) subjects, seven distinctions and one credit. He was recruited by the police academy while he was enrolled in sixth form at St Mary High School.
“He was very bright and intelligent. He did so well at school, especially at the sciences and maths,” his sister Kaneel said. She explained however that becoming a police officer was his ultimate dream since grade 9. “He attended a careers day and got a poster of a police officer and ever since, he had it on the wall in his room saying that’s what he wanted to do, even though mommy disapproved,” she said.Keemo’s mother who migrated to England when he was 8-years-old but remained very involved in her children’s lives, did not approve of his career choice but supported her son anyway. Keemo and his siblings remained with their father while their mother worked in England. “Mommy sent everything he needed when he was at the academy. Everything he wanted to further his training, she made sure he got it,” said Ms Walsh. His mother who last saw her son when she eventually returned on a visit to Jamaica when Keemo was 14-years-old, did not want her son to become a police officer because of fear he would be killed. Ms Walsh said their mother was furious about Keemo joining the Jamaica Constabulary Force but did not want to stand in the way of her son’s aspirations. “What really hurt is that when mommy was always cussing and expressing disapproval, Keemo told her that even if he died while in the Force, it was his destiny.” Their mother who is reportedly very traumatized by news of her son’s death will be back in Jamaica this week.
CXC CLASSES AT POLICE CLUB
Keemo Walsh graduated from the Jamaica Police Academy in December 2014. He was stationed at the Ocho Rios police station. Keemo spent his spare time attending the Content Gardens Police Youth Club where he held CXC classes to help students prepare for the exams. He helped them with mathematics and the sciences as well as other subjects. Members of the club are reportedly very distraught and shocked at the loss of Keemo who they said was a police officer who cared for their well-being. Keemo was helping to prepare grade 11 students for the upcoming 2015 CXC exams. The family said members of the Police Federation visited and offered support to the family. Members of the Force’s Chaplaincy Unit are also in communication with the family. “Even yesterday (Sunday), the Champlain called us to ensure we were okay,” Ms Walsh told The Times, Monday. Kaneel said however that the family was disgruntled that the Security Minister, Peter Bunting has not reached out to their grieving family.
