IRON-CLAD INTEGRITY

Twenty-six-year-old Constable Orlando Irons, who died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident which also claimed the life of controversial pastor Kevin Smith on October 25, was laid to rest in St Ann on Friday after a service in which his virtues were extolled.

“No one could point a finger at Constable Irons and say this is not a clean policeman. He maintained his integrity throughout his service in the division,” said head of the St James Police Division, Senior Superintendent Vernon Ellis as he delivered the eulogy during the service held at York Castle High School auditorium in Brown’s Town.

Ellis said the words of former United States President Abraham Lincoln – “It is not the years in your life that counts; it is the life in your years” – were a fitting description to the life of Irons, who left an indelible mark on the hearts of all those who he came across.

“From the day he came into training he displayed the highest levels of discipline. Orlando Irons was a kind-hearted policeman; he was a people person, a loyal friend,” Ellis continued.

Lovingly referred to as ‘Lando’ and ‘Iron Man’, Irons, joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in May 2016. Determined to make the best of his career, he served with distinction until his untimely passing in October.

“His divisional training sub-officer, Sergeant Keisha Griffiths, fondly recalls him as the example that she would use for others during his probationary training,” Ellis revealed.

Irons’ colleagues also hailed him as a hard-working policeman who got the job done.

After serving just for a few months at the Anchovy Police Station in St James, Irons joined what was called ‘Team 63’ in Montego Bay – an eight-member squad that earned ratings after seizing 50 illegal guns during 2019, the highest number on record for the St James division.

He was transferred to the Fugitive Apprehension Team (FAT) in September of 2020.

Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson and a high-ranking team that included Deputy Commissioner Clifford Blake attended the funeral at which the Jamaica Constabulary Force Choir also performed, while another team paid their respects in dance.

Anderson, who read the first lesson, offered comforting words to the family members of the deceased, noting that while the pain will not go away quickly, it eventually will.

“The pain will fade in time,” the commissioner reassured them.

Dozens of motor vehicles lined the school playing field, as persons came out to pay their last respects to the young man who was brought up in Bamboo and attended Aabuthnott Gallimore High School.

Despite the huge turnout, efforts were made to observe the protocols, with space still remaining in the auditorium as most persons remained outside.

The coffin was brought to the venue early and then whisked away before the service began.

Sister Stevoney Irons said she was trying to remain strong in the face of the tragic loss of her younger sibling.

“I’m trying to be strong,” she said. “With Orlando, he was the most respected person all over the world. School, work, everywhere. Pastor, police, thief, everybody respected him. We don’t know how we are going to cope because he was like the backbone and when the backbone’s gone, it’s like the rest of the bones scatter.”

A colleague from JCF Area One, Maurice Pinnock, said Irons is greatly missed.

“Mr Irons was a very promising, well-respected and loved police officer who we lost in an untimely manner and we’re all saddened by this loss and we miss him,” Pinnock said.

“He was a very, very important and hard-working police officer and we’re here to pay our respects and to show him that we not only love and cherish him when he was alive, but in this time of grief, we’re giving support to the family, both his and the JCF family,” the officer added.

carl.gilchrist@gleanerjm.com