Crime fighter Insp Sahadeo Singh died yesterday of a suspected heart attack at Medical Associates in Chaguanas. Singh, 58, was rushed to the private facility from his Caparo home early yesterday morning after he complained about chest pains. Several police officers gathered outside the facility to pay their respects after hearing of Singh’s death.
The well-known senior policeman, who was assigned to the Besson Street Police Station and had received a commendation award in 2013, was responsible for numerous stop-and-search exercises, seizure of illegal firearms and the arrests of scores of suspected gang members. He had also spearheaded investigations into illegal bunkering of diesel at Sea Lots, where five 1,000 gallon tanks were found inside an abandoned house.
Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he had just returned from a police church service when he was told about Singh’s death. “This is shocking news to me,” he said. “He was an active officer and beyond active, an exceptional officer, one of the few frontline officers taking to the fight against crime.” Williams said with the loss of Singh there is now a major gap in the police.
“I want to express my condolences to the family. Singh spent his entire career in the service. He had reached his compulsory retirement age but he wanted to work because of his passion and love,” he said. Also paying tribute to Singh was National Security Minister Gary Griffith who said the police service “could do with the discipline and character of many more Sahadeo Singhs.”
President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Anand Ramesar said: “Our last memory of him was when we met with him on Friday. Singh said he was going to visit the families who lost their lives on Desperlie Crescent on Thursday night. His death is a significant loss. Singh was a leader in a lot of areas. It will be difficult to find someone to fit in his shoes as life goes on with the TTPS.” Singh leaves behind his wife Janine and two children.