Maximum respect! - Good Samaritan gets new plaudits since saving cop

Josiah Wright says he beams proudly whenever he is called 'Government' by his relatives and loved ones, and the 64- year-old has every right to be filled with pride.

Last Heroes Day, he received a Badge of Honour for Gallantry from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at Kings House. The Portmore, St Catherine, resident was honoured for helping to save the life of a police officer who was robbed, shot and left in the bushes for dead. Wright told THE WEEKEND STAR that his ratings soared sky high following the recognition.

"People give mi more ratings in mi area from the police officers dem. The police check on mi all the time to see if mi okay. When mi get recognised last year, mi feel really good. Is like mi get a whole level of respect. The day mi walk up to the podium and collect the token was the best day inna mi life. The governor general and the prime minister, all of them was out there to congratulate mi," he said.

According to the horse groom, he did not expect any form of highlight from his act but was merely showing compassion to the badly injured cop. He, however, said he was told by commanding officer for St Catherine South Superintendent Christopher Phillips that his good deed would not be slid under the carpet.

"Mi never did a look for nutten but if anything come mi would appreciate it. Mi rescue the man from the goodness of mi heart so mi nah think about any cash. Life is a lot more better than cash because the most important thing to me is that the police officer has his life. He may be badly injured but he has life. We have to learn to be more loving towards each other. Imagine how nice Jamaica would be if we just look out for each other and not be greedy. Each one just need to think about the next one," he said.

"The more united we are is the more better we are going to be as a nation. A time fi we done with the foolishness and just be our brother's keeper," Wright added.

Wright said he looks forward to officially meeting the cop. He said he has asked about him on several occasions and was told that he was still in rehab. He continues to pray for his recovery. Each day, Wright said he frequently walks along the path where he found the cop.

"I walk that way actually every day and every time mi walk past it, mi look over where mi did see the policeman a lay down and say to myself say is dere suh mi find life weh did ago lost. Yuh know say di odda day mi a pass and mi find a $1,000. It just lay down on the grass with dew water on it and mi just a say a my blessing this," he said.