Brave Clunis wanted the best for Jamaica, says former Old Harbour police chief

Supt White made the comments on Facebook following the shocking news this afternoon that his colleague of many, many years died in hospital despite all indications he was recovering well and was soon to be discharged.

Clunis was one of four police officers shot during a shootout with a lone gunman – Damion Hamilton – during a pre-dawn operation at a house in Horizon Park, St Catherine on June 12. Two officers, Detective Corporal Dane Biggs and Constable Decardo Hylton died in the line of duty.

Hamilton was shot fatally by cops hours later during another shootout, this time in the St Andrew community of Cooreville Gardens.

Clunis and District Constable Lothan Richards were both shot and injured during the gun battle. Their prognosis moved from critical to stable over the days that follow. Richards was eventually released by doctors, while Clunis’ condition was improving, even speaking to the media publicly from his hospital bed.

A well-placed source told Old Harbour News that Clunis was slated for this week to be released from hospital before his sudden death.

The JCF is once again in mourning following the death of Superintendent of Police Leon Clunis,who succumbed today from injuries he sustained during a shooting in Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Friday,June 12. Please keep his immediate family & the JCF in your thoughts & prayers. pic.twitter.com/BSbrUVMDaB

— JamaicaConstab (@JamaicaConstab) July 1, 2020

White, the chief commanding officer in charge of Old Harbour during 2015 and 2016, said: “Superintendent Leon Clunis was a dedicated knowledgeable and a no nonsense police officer. He loved his country and had taken an oath for which he had sworn to serve, protect and reassured its citizens. He believed in carrying out this task in a manner that depicted, only the best was good enough. For those who knew him, he was brave and very courageous.

“He had contributed tremendously for more than two decades to the Jamaica Constabulary Force and his journey ended sometime after 3:00 pm this afternoon. I take this opportunity to say farewell to him as he travel to a place of divine rest. I wish for his family, colleagues and friends to find comfort in the supreme creator.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who on the weekend visited the family homes of Biggs and Hylton, led official tributes, as news spread rapidly of Supt Clunis’ shocked passing.

“I am truly shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected passing of Superintendent Leon Clunis. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Superintendent Leon Clunis and the entire JCF,” the prime minister tweeted. “I visited him in hospital on the weekend and he was in high spirits. We laughed and spoke for a while. I personally thanked him for his service in the force. I want to assure his family and the JCF that his selfless work will not go in vain.”

Opposition spokesperson on national security Fitz Jackson said: “Superintendent Clunis was a crime fighter who was determined to face down criminal enterprises in any form to ensure the safety and protection of the Jamaican people. He gave dedicated service as a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in various ranks and capacities with distinction,”
And in a post also on Twitter the JCF said: “The JCF is once again in mourning following the death of Superintendent of Police Leon Clunis, who succumbed today from injuries he sustained during a shooting in Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Friday, June 12. Please keep his immediate family and the JCF in your thoughts and prayers.