Family, friends bid farewell to female cop found dead on her birthday

Bryan, a member of the police force for 15 years, was found dead inside her Longsville Park, Clarendon home on December 27 last year – the day she would have celebrated her 34th birthday.

There was no sign of any foul play. However, an autopsy report conducted on the body of Bryan was unable to determine the cause of death, save and except that she died on Christmas Day.

Inside the sprawling prophecy church, Bryan’s life was celebrated, lauded and adored in songs and testimonies.

Sharing memories about her late sister Rickona Bennett – the youngest of the three – chronicled the journey of her beloved sibling, whose infectious smile, warm heart and desires to achieve were all captured in a touching remembrance.

With her grieving voice cracking while trying to hold back tears, she recalled many treasured moments that brought laughter and affirmation.

Colleagues of Bryan also paid tribute, while ASP Fitzalbert Linton delivered the eulogy at the family’s request.

“Notoya served the Jamaica Constabulary Force gracefully. She was not brave but courageous, not always the strongest, but the most willing to try. She was friendly, jovial and helpful to many,” said Linton, who had Bryan under his command as head of the St Catherine North Division community safety and security branch.

ASP Linton, who also hails from the same community of Church Pen that Bryan spent much of her younger years after leaving Spring Village, said her death has left a deep void within the team.

“Family, friends, loved ones, colleagues to have witnessed the lifeless body of a colleague an immediate staff, was not the best thing for me; but I braved it. To break the rest of the news to the rest of the family was also challenging. Today the entire community safety team struggle to get by, as Constable Bryan was like a spoiled child to the team,” the senior police officer said.  

Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson in paying tribute said: “It is with deep sadness that I lead the JCF family in mourning the loss of a colleague No. 17677 Constable Natoya Bryan who served the St Catherine North Division.

“The passing of this law enforcement practitioner has cut short her contribution to our collective effort in the fight against crime.”

Earlier, Luke Grant – cousin of the deceased – brought the house of worship to its feet with a soulful rendition of the Christian hymn Jesus Rescued Me. And similar performances by the JCF choir and the Church of God of Prophecy, Church Pen, of which Bryan was a member, had the congregation signing in unison.

Interment was at the family plot at Frank Hall, Cascade, St Ann, where Bryan’s late mother was also buried.