The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

A FULL military funeral service was held yesterday for Assistant Superintendent of Police, Andrew George Deveaux Sr.

Independence Drive, Robinson Road, and Soldier Road were all temporarily closed to traffic as hundreds of mourners arrived at New Bethlehem Baptist Church on Independence Drive to pay their respects.

The 51-year-old Mr Deveaux was born May 15, 1960 in Devil's Point, Cat Island. After graduating from high school, he moved to Nassau where he worked at Super Value Warehouse before joining the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1979.

There, he served at the Airport Police Station before becoming an ASP in the K-9 Unit, where he worked for the past 33 years.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and died the morning of March 31 at Doctor's Hospital.

Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade made remarks of appreciation at the service.

Also attending the funeral were former Chief Superintendent of Police Keith Bell and Mr Deveaux's brother, Inspector Nathan Mackey, who had been shot in the leg the night before.

Mr Bell, who had known Mr Deveaux for 25 years, said he will always remember the late officer as a friendly man.

"I remember ASP Deveaux as a jubilant person - always full of life, always willing to help and always having time for everyone. He will be missed," Mr Bell said.

"Even through his suffering he found time to communicate with people, to try and help everyone who he came in contact with, and he always had a smile on his face. That is how I will remember him."

Mr Bell sent condolences to Mr Deveaux' family, and "more particularly" to his brother Insp Mackey.

"His brother, despite the doctors indicating to him to stay in hospital, made it a point to be here today and so that spoke volumes to me. I had to be here today to support this family."