BROTHER TELLS HOW CONSTABLE
SIUTA NIUMATAIWALU ‘WOULD RATHER DIE A BLUE’
In a solemn and moving eulogy Lieutenant Iliesa Niumataiwalu recalled how his younger brother, the late Constable Siuta Niutamaiwalu said: “He would rather die a blue”.
“When I came back from Syria I suggested for him to join the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ green and not the blues because there are many in the family who are serving in blue.
“But, this brother of mine said, he would die a blue.”
This was during Constable Siuta’s funeral service at Evergreen Assemblies of God Church in Nasinu yesterday.
Constable Siuta, who was known as JT to his friends and family, was allegedly killed in the line of duty on October 21, 2019, in Lautoka. He was in the process of arresting a 19-year-old accused of robbery offences.
Late Constable Siuta was born on June 21, 1995 and was the youngest of five siblings. He started his primary education at Draiba Fijian School and later enrolled at the Assemblies of God Primary School before moving on to attend Assemblies of God High School. He graduated with a Trade Diploma in Banking and Finance from the University of the South Pacific in 2016. On June 10, 2018, he marched into the Fiji Police Force Academy as a recruit. Lieutenant Niumataiwalu said he was nine years old when his brother, JT, was born.
He described Siuta as a goodhearted person who had his way since he was the youngest. “When I came back from Syria in
April this year up until last week we only met twice with JT - that’s when I got off at the Nadi Airport and then last week, during a passing out parade.
“Only two days after we met, God called him,” Lieutenant Niumataiwalu said.
Delivering an eulogy on behalf of the Fiji Police Force, Divisional Police Commander Western, Senior Superintended of Police, Surend Sami highlighted how Police officers did not die in service because they retired.
“For our colleague, late Constable Siuta, he has retired into the Kingdom of God,” SSP Sami said. On Monday October 21, 2019, late in the evening, he was at the station during the CID’s inspection. He was not on a rostered duty. “It was during this time at night when many would have retired to the comfort of their beds, yet late
Constable Siuta responded to the call of duty,” SSP Sami said. “He joined a group of colleagues to attend to a report of criminal activity.
“When the team came across the suspect he jumped out of the vehicle and without considering his own safety, Constable Siuta, in the darkness of the night, confronted the suspect. Little did he know that the suspect was armed with a kitchen knife.”
He said Constable Siuta made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of Fijian citizens.
“He placed the interest of others before himself.
“Late Constable Siuta may not have known all about Policing, but he was learning fast. That journey has been cut short,” SSP Sami said.
Casting a glance at the casket draped with a Fiji flag, SPP Sami said: “Generations before and after will know that you have sacrificed your life for the safety of the Fijian people.
“The Fijian people, the Government, the Commissioner of Police and all members of the Fiji Police Force are proud of you. We will remember you.”