He was a known and practical family man who was loyal to his household, dominated by a loving wife Phulmattie and two daughters, Suzie and Mandy.

The communities of Stratsphey, Bladen Hall, Vigilance and Cove and John - the latter two being station locations at which he worked - were understandably shocked that he should be singled out by the criminals and their directors for cold-blooded murder.

He was known to be understanding, tolerant and humane in his approach to his work. He was to many villagers the "friendly policeman", quiet and well respected by most.

But his colleagues at the two 'C' Division, East Coast Demerara Stations - one of whom collapsed on hearing of his murder - were visibly upset Monday morning when they received the dreadful news. They regarded the Detective Sergeant as a cool, experienced professional dedicated to his task of investigative and scientific detective work, in pursuit of making Guyana secure, through the successful detection of crime, wherever he was called to track the perpetrators down.

A former superior officer described Kooseram, 37, as both "a decent and gentle policeman, devoted to his duties - and efficient too."

Commander 'C' Division, Assistant Commissioner Jameer describes `Rudy' as having been "a serious methodical investigator of unquestionable ability whose work most times bore fruit." Jameer says that it was sometimes difficult to define fully Kooseram's disposition, as he was extremely "quiet".

Harry Sharma Kooseram, nicknamed `Rudy' by friends and family, was born at Vigilance and went to Strathspey Primary and Bladen Hall Multilateral School. He joined the Force in May 1983. Hard work coupled with his receptive attitude to training resulted in him earning promotions to Lance Corporal (1992), Corporal (1996) and Sergeant (2000, on New Year's Day).

Working in both the urban 'A' Division and the coastal 'C' Division, he soon demonstrated his skills as an investigator in the Force's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). His work was both rewarded and enhanced when he was sent to two courses in the Caribbean - the Junior CID Course at the Regional Police Training Centre, Seawell, Barbados from May 18 to June 12, 1998, and Sexual Offences Investigation Techniques, Trinidad, June 4-8, 2001. This was after he had successfully completed a Special Prosecutors Course in Georgetown from January 1996 to January 1997.

The quiet outrage, which followed the Sergeant's murder on Monday, quite naturally was accompanied by questions as to why was the detective cut down in cold blood in public. And why HIM anyhow?

The environment of evil, murder and chaos has been created by those wishing to benefit from lawlessness and bloodshed; an enabling environment and a charged atmosphere now accommodates criminal acts of murder by some. Kooseram's murder was perpetrated by a villain sponsored by this programme of hate and evil.

There is one bit of informed speculation by a former colleague who guesses that because Kooseram once assisted the late Superintendent Leon Fraser in the investigation of attempted murder, he (Kooseram) might have been singled out for this fatal reprisal. That is conjecture, but the Police have pledged to pursue his killer - relentlessly.

As the country bids farewell to another Police Officer, it is certain that Guyana will never allow a state of anarchy wherein the protectors of the nation's security will be gunned down in an apparent "open season".

The best farewell that could be afford to Detective Kooseram is a vow to fight back; to take back Guyana from the criminals and their managers.

Farewell, Rudy Kooseram.