Fallen Heroes Foundation assists grieving wife of Corporal McPherson

Mrs. Denita McPherson, the widow of Detective Corporal Dwayne McPherson, who was shot and died on New Year’s Day while responding to a complaint of an attack, received monetary gifts, on Wednesday, from the Guyana Police Force’s Fallen Heroes Foundation.

Dwayne McPherson, 31, joined the Guyana Police Force on December 14, 2009, and was attached to the Mahaicony Police Station. He was shot and killed during a shooting incident around 00:30 hrs on New Year’s Day, at Huntley Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The Fallen Heroes Foundation’s purpose is to provide financial assistance for the education and welfare of the beneficiaries of the fallen heroes.

Mrs Denita McPherson, her father, brother, and sister-in-law, as well as Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, Bishop Raphael Massiah, Pastor Winston Assanah, Mohamed Qualander, Pastor Victor Grim - mond of the Fallen Heroes Foundation, Force Chaplain Reverend Patrick Doolichand and the Force’s Welfare Officer W/Superintendent Allison Moore, were on hand for the special presentation.

Commissioner Clifton Hicken also presented a monetary gift to Mrs McPherson on behalf of his family.

“We are going to support you and the children’s upbringing,” the Top Cop assured.

He also reassured the grieving widow that the Guyana Police Force would maintain transparency in the ongoing investigation and, based on the recommendations of the DPP, charges would be instituted accordingly.

Bishop Massiah, President of the Fallen Heroes Foundation, noted that the donation made was in no way an attempt to repay the loss.

Bishop Massiah assured Mrs McPherson of the commitment of the Guyana Police Force Fallen Heroes Foundation by declaring: “We want you to know that we are standing with you at every step of the way”.

Alluding to grief as a natural response to loss, Bishop Massiah noted that the grieving process takes time.

On this note, he encouraged Mrs McPherson to grieve with dignity while alluding that healing happens gradually and cannot be forced or hurried.

“There is no ‘normal’ timetable for grieving,” Bishop Massiah posited.

Bishop Massiah further told Mrs McPherson that during yesterday morning’s devotion with members of his church, one family (who is based overseas) felt encouraged to donate after hearing about Mrs McPherson’s story and asked him to make the presentation on its behalf.

Mohamed Qualander, the Treasurer of the Fallen Heroes Foundation, donated on behalf of the foundation while also expressing his sympathy and commitment to supporting the family.