KINGSTON, Jamaica — The New Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church in St Andrew became a place of solemn remembrance on Wednesday as hundreds gathered to honor the life and service of Constable Charles Stewart, slain in a tragic off-duty shooting incident last month.
The ceremony, described as both a funeral and thanksgiving service, brought together uniformed colleagues, grieving family members, and community supporters. Stewart and his fellow officer, Constable Jemarey Gordon, lost their lives on November 13, 2025, during a violent confrontation at a commercial establishment on Waltham Park Road. According to police reports, multiple assailants engaged the off-duty officers before one produced a firearm and shot both men in their upper torsos. The perpetrators fled the scene on foot, while the wounded constables were transported to a medical facility where they were subsequently pronounced deceased.
This double homicide triggered an intensive investigation by Jamaican law enforcement authorities, resulting in the apprehension and formal charging of two suspects currently facing justice.
During the emotional service, Sergeant Arleen McBean, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, delivered a poignant eulogy celebrating Stewart’s professional dedication and personal character. McBean’s tribute transcended individual mourning to address systemic challenges within the police force, highlighting critical issues such as officer working conditions, psychological morale, and institutional support structures for personnel and their families.
In a significant portion of her address, McBean directed criticism toward the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), articulating widespread frustration among rank-and-file officers regarding the oversight body’s operational methodologies and approach to police accountability.
Following the religious proceedings, Constable Stewart was laid to rest with full honors at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in St Catherine, surrounded by a final salute from his comrades and the tearful farewells of loved ones.