Fallen soldier! - The Gleaner's Glenroy Sinclair dead after massive heart attack!

Glenroy Wayne 'Sinco' Sinclair never did the intellectual scripts of studied analyses of the country's crime problem, but for some 20 years, he was unbeatable in reporting crime from the trenches, on the streets, and from the corner.

He will report no more, cut down by a massive heart attack just shy of his 50th birthday.

He died in hospital early yesterday morning, having collapsed at work Friday afternoon.

His sudden death has left sheets of dark-veiled, low clouds hanging over the Editorial Department of The Gleaner and the wider Jamaican journalism community.

Sinclair's colleagues said it appeared the long-time newsman had a premonition of impending doom as he expressed worry last Friday that it was the anniversary of the date he was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, one year ago.

Hours later, he would collapse at his desk over lunch, writing his final piece for publication on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

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Sinco, as he was called by his peers, will be remembered as one of the finest reporters to have worked at The Gleaner.

Editor-in-chief of The Gleaner Garfield Grandison noted that this is a difficult time for the entire company.

"Glenroy was a true professional who was dedicated and committed to journalism. He served The Gleaner and the profession well. He started in sports, then took on the crime beat before being promoted to the position of assignment coordinator," said Grandison.

"He was always looking out for the welfare of others, even those he didn't know, and he was a very loyal employee," added Grandison.

Former information minister and long-time friend Olivia 'Babsy' Grange's voice was heavy with grief as she reacted to Sinclair's sudden passing.

"I am devastated. It is so sad. Honestly, there are no words right now ..." said Grange as she struggled to string the words together.

"I have known Glenroy a long time, and it is really difficult to find the right words. I spoke to him last week about motor racing ... it's hard, very hard."

Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) president Dionne Jackson Miller described Sinclair as a valued member of the profession.

"He was one of those persons you call the reporter's reporter. He was just always about the news. He reported on crime and his years on the crime desk, in particular, brought focus to the issue," said Jackson Miller.

She noted that the sources he cultivated over the years, and the way he went about his job made him a standout in his heyday.

Jackson Miller expressed condolences to the Gleaner family and his wife and three children.

Sinclair joined The Gleaner as a freelance staff member in 1986 before joining the staff on a full-time basis in 1993.

During his time at The Gleaner, he covered elections, hurricanes, industrial affairs, and sports, before focusing on crime and, in more recent years, covering motorsport while mentoring scores of young journalists.