VUNAVUTU, Nadroga villager Naomi Kelea says she was devastated upon hearing of the death of Lami police officer Jovesa Tanikorolevu on Thursday morning.
Speaking to this newspaper in Sigatoka yesterday, Ms Kelea said the victim was a close friend of her eldest son and had become part of their family.
“I treated Jovesa as my own son as he would come home and stay with us,” she said.
“It was during these trips to our house in Vunavutu that he met his wife, Litiana, who is from Qereqere Village.
“Jovesa was a good rugby player, and he would train with the High-Performance Unit (HPU) in Sigatoka.”
Ms Kelea described Mr Tanikorolevu as a kind and thoughtful person who did not forget their family, even after getting married.
“When he would come to Sigatoka to visit his children and wife at Qereqere Village, he would also visit us at home. I am shocked that he is no longer with us.”
Ms Kelea said she did not know the circumstances surrounding the death but hoped justice would be served.
Police confirmed to The Fiji Times yesterday that the matter was being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department.
Mr Tanikorolevu’s death is the second involving an officer from the Lami Police Station, following the death of Police Constable Peniasi Racagi in February.
Mr Tanikorolevu is survived by his wife and six children.
He was found lying motionless in Sigatoka Town in the early hours of Thursday.
