Senior Superintendent of Central Division, Barney Mayers described Mansingh as an honest, hard-working and dependable policeman who would go beyond the call of duty to assist others.

The Superintendent said a void was now created in the charge room of the Chaguanas Police Station.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul and National Security Minister Martin Joseph also attended.

Reverend Daniel Teelucksingh, a former independent senator, said the government, family, church and the school have all failed the society.

“We’re losing our sense of humanity,” he said.

“We live like beasts in a jungle of roaring lions who prey on the defenceless.”

Teelucksingh called men to be faithful to their marriage vows no matter how much they love the “outside woman”.

“Enough blood has flowed because your son has a gun,” Teelucksingh said.

He then asked: “Why are there abandoned children?

“You have to answer the question -- all of us fathers and mothers, husbands and wives.”

Teelucksingh said broken marriages lead to neglected children who suffer.

“There is no one to take care of them because they are not in school.

“Criminals are waiting to put their hands on them and where they have not been brought up properly we lose them to the criminals.

“Mothers and fathers are responsible for their children,” Teelucksingh said.