21 Aug 2010

Wife of slain officer in American Samoa pays tribute to her husband

9:44 am on 21 August 2010

The wife of slain American Samoa officer police, Lieutenant Liusila Brown says the outpouring of love and prayers from the community has been a source of strength.

Today the territory bids farewell to Lt, Brown, who was shot dead outside American Samoa's High Court last month.

A prayer service was held at the LBJ Hospital chapel this morning, and the funeral procession will head to the Happy valley Worship Center for his main service.

Mr Brown's widow, Leleitumua Sonoma Brown, paid tribute to her husband.

"I'm so thankful and I'm blessed that I had my life with him because words can not express how so many things, like everything that I do or everything that I needed, he was always there for me."

The family of the man accused of killing Brown yesterday performed the traditional ceremony of seeking forgiveness or ifoga which was accepted.

All flags are today flying at half staff in honor of Lt, Brown who was the second in command in the Criminal Investigations Division of DPS.

The Department of Public Safety will provide an honor guard and give a gun salute at his burial later this afternoon at his home in Pago Pago.