Constable Davan Cooper remembered as kind soul with a big heart
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, Karolyn Cooper saw two new dresses on her bed. Her son, Davan, has purchased them from the salary he earns as a policeman. A smiling Cooper thanked him for the gifts and promised to wear one to church the following Sunday. She then headed to the kitchen to prepare soup, which was Davan’s favourite meal. It turned out that it was the last meal she prepared for him.
Davan, a probationer constable attached to the Specialised Operations Branch, died the following day after being involved he a motor vehicle accident. The young constable, who had just completed classes at the Jamaica Police College in Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, St Catherine, was heading home to Lime Walk in Bog Walk in the parish when the crash occurred.
At his funeral, held at Giblatore Baptist Church in Bog Walk on Saturday, the 23-year-old was remembered as a kind soul and a bright light who lit up people’s lives. His cousin, Marenda Douglas, who delivered the remembrance, shared many stories of how he touched the lives of persons with his kindness and was not shy to shower persons with gifts.
“Our lives will never be the same, but we will continue to stay strong, knowing you have positively touched the hearts of many,” Douglas said.
Born to Karolyn and Desmond Cooper on July 30, 2000, Davan Marico Cooper attended McGrath High School and was a 100-metre sprinter. He enjoyed playing video games; was a fan of football great Lionel Messi’ and was protective of his sister Vanessa.
Davan enlisted in the Jamaica
National Service Corp (JNSC) after leaving high school in 2019. He spent one year and three months in the JNSC, a programme administered by the Jamaica Defence Force. His desire to offer service to his country led him to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). He enlisted on February 21, 2022, as a member of Batch 140, and gave one year and nine months’ service before his untimely death. During his time in the JCF, Constable Cooper received two commendations.
Acting Superintendent of Police Lawrence O’Gilvie, who delivered the eulogy, said Davan committed his life to service. He said the young constable was a humble, courageous, kind and committed law-enforcement officer.
Similarly, Detective Constable Murphy, in a tribute, said, “If the two commendations Constable Cooper has in anything to mark his journey by in his young stage, I believe he would have been an exceptional policeman.”
Constable Cooper’s girlfriend, Shantanna Henningham recalled how she was in awe of him when they met, but said she delayed giving her phone number to him during their initial period of courtship.
“I told him that he was on trial. I had to be sure about him before he could get my number,” the teary-eyed Henningham said as her voice cracked.
She admitted being unable to keep Constable Cooper at bay for very long, stating she was “head over heals for the dark-skin guy with the bright smile”.
“I’m grateful that I got the chance to meet you, experience your warm love, your kindness and your jovial spirit . ... I love you, and I miss you more than words can explain,” the emotional Henningham said.
Natalie Neita Garvey, the member of parliament for St Catherine North Central, said Constable Cooper, whom she knew from he was a tiny tot, had a bright future ahead of him.
“Sometimes I have to question God – not because I don’t believe that God is a good God...I question because so much wicked people inna the world, so many wicked, heartless people in the world ... tek dem so that the good ones can create a better Jamaica and a better world,” Neita Garvey said.
She delivered a medley of songs, comprising Bread of Heaven, I Must have the Saviour With Me and I Sing because I’m Happy, and told the family that God will take care of them.