Cops mourn colleague's death

The St Ann police have been left shaken by what has been described as the untimely death of Assistant Superintendent Oral Dobson, who died at the St Ann's Bay Hospital yesterday morning.

Dobson, 51, who was attached to the St Ann Divisional Headquarters, was reportedly taken to hospital after he complained of chest pains. He served for 31 years.

The senior cop's passing comes as a shock to the head of the St Ann police, Superintendent Gary Francis, who said he was an exceptional cop.

"He actually came off duty Sunday morning after working Saturday night into Sunday morning. He was scheduled to have his day off [Monday] to return to work on Tuesday. His passing hit us real hard. It's really sad and somewhat tragic because it's not like he was sick ...," Francis said.

He added that the entire division is in grief over the 'fallen soldier'.

"Dobson was an excellent policeman. A very quiet, but firm officer. He was very professional in his approach. He was a team player, and a meticulous person, and very reliable. He would execute his duties and account for all his tasks," Francis told THE STAR.

He added that Dobson served the Island Special Constabulary Force and was then integrated into the Jamaica Constabulary Force when both forces merged

Francis said the grief is further compounded because Dobson leaves behind a son who is also a police constable in St Ann.

The chaplaincy unit and station pastors have been mobilised to the various stations to offer grief counselling.

-S.W.