A solemn, dignified farewell was held yesterday for acting Corporal Anuska Eversley, the 41-year-old Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service (TTMPS) officer brutally murdered while on duty at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station. Colleagues, senior law enforcement leaders, friends, and grieving family members gathered at San Fernando’s Faith Centre to honor her 17 years of public service and celebrate her life beyond the police badge.
Dozens of uniformed officers from across the regional division filled the funeral venue, answering the call to stand in solidarity with Eversley’s bereaved loved ones. In accordance with the family’s explicit wishes, formal military-style ceremonial traditions were omitted from the service, but the collective presence of Eversley’s fellow officers served as a quiet, powerful tribute to her years of commitment and the lasting mark she left on the national law enforcement community.
Eversley’s life was cut short more than a week prior, when she was beaten and strangled during an overnight shift at the station. Her body was discovered by a fellow officer on the morning of April 19, and investigators found the facility’s secure firearms strong room had been completely emptied. The brazen, on-duty killing and mass weapons heist sent immediate shockwaves through both Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement circles and the general public.
To date, the investigation into the theft of the massive cache of weapons—more than 100 pistols and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition—remains active. Several senior officers and Eversley’s former colleagues have already been placed on administrative suspension pending the outcome of the probe. Coinciding with yesterday’s funeral, three suspects made their first court appearance on charges of Eversley’s murder and the weapons heist: Jivan “Bigs” Cooper, a serving TTMPS colleague; 20-year-old construction worker Kwame Arnold; and 24-year-old scrap iron dealer Nicholas “Nico” Ramdass, all residents of Claxton Bay.
Addressing mourners, San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris reflected on the tragic circumstances of Eversley’s killing, voicing deep lament over what he called a dangerous erosion of trust—even between professional colleagues—that has reshaped Trinidad and Tobago’s social fabric. “Somehow, Trinidad and Tobago is no longer the one I grew up in the 80s and 90s. We have veered away from family values, we cannot leave our back door open anymore. You cannot trust your own co-worker,” Parris said. He pledged full support to the police division and the San Fernando station to help the community recover and rebuild unity after the tragedy, vowing to assist investigators to secure a just resolution to the case. Parris also called for responsible discourse from social media users and ethical, measured reporting from journalists, and made a public commitment to stand by Eversley’s three children, promising they would not grieve alone.
Senior Superintendent Wayne Mohammed, head of the Municipal Police Division, delivered a heartfelt eulogy remembering Eversley as a skilled, capable officer who built deep, enduring bonds with her colleagues rooted in trust, camaraderie, and mutual respect. Mohammed emphasized that Eversley’s violent, untimely death in the line of duty has left an indelible mark on the TTMPS and the entire Trinidadian public. “We, the members of the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service, unequivocally condemn this evil act, which stands in stark contrast to the values of decency and respect for human life,” Mohammed said. “But even in our grief and outrage, we must not lose sight of who Anuska was and what she represented. She stood for duty. She stood for courage. Her sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the risks borne daily by those who wear the uniform in service to others.” Beyond her professional service, Mohammed highlighted Eversley’s role as a devoted wife and loving mother, who is survived by her husband, a 6-year-old daughter, an 18-year-old daughter, and a 13-year-old son. “To them, she was not only a protector of the public but the heart of their home — their source of love, guidance, and strength,” he added.
Officiating Bishop Michael Brown acknowledged the raw, widespread pain of the loss, telling the gathered crowd Eversley was a woman who brought purpose, strength, and meaning to every space she entered. “Today is not an easy day. We are here because her life was taken suddenly. Her passing was not the quiet transition that we would have wished for. The hurt that we carry today is felt deeply in every heart gathered here,” Brown said. “Even in the midst of tragedy, we stand firm in this truth – no act of violence can silence the love she gave and the joy she shared, or the impact she made. Today, we do not focus only on the pain of her loss, but we stand here to recognise the power of her life. Take everything to God in prayer.”
Eversley’s brother, Jonathan Eversley, shared a warm, lighthearted memory from their childhood that drew soft smiles from the congregation, offering a moment of reprieve from collective grief. He shared that even in mourning, his family remains grateful for the years of love they shared with Anuska, noting that her greatest joy and legacy was her role as a mother. “Beyond the laughter and stories, her greatest role was being a mother. She poured her love, strength and dedication into her children. Everything she did with them in mind. That love and commitment will continue to live on through them. Today, we feel the weight of her absence deeply,” he said.
One of Eversley’s police academy batchmates, Figaro, reflected on her unwavering professionalism and commitment to camaraderie, remembering her as an officer who always carried out her duties with uncompromising integrity. Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Mystar—who currently leads the TTMPS after ACP Surendra Sagramsingh was placed on administrative leave following the incident—presented Eversley’s family with a framed portrait of the fallen officer and an official TTMPS flag.
After the conclusion of the funeral service, a solemn procession traveled along San Fernando’s Coffee Street to the Guides Funeral Home and Crematorium, led by Eversley’s family, followed by Mystar, Mohammed, other senior police leaders, and Mayor Parris. Photographer Dexter Philip captured images of the procession, which saw relatives carry Eversley’s casket through the streets to the final resting place.