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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 11/19/2024-REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 10/22/2024-AMENDED AND REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUSICIARY BILL NO. 35-0253 Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands April 10, 2024 An Act honoring and commending police officers for the service they provide to the community and to recognize fallen law enforcement officers posthumously PROPOSED BY: Senators Diane T. Capehart, Kenneth L. Gittens Dwayne M. DeGraff and Alma Francis Heyliger WHEREAS, law enforcement officers across the Virgin Islands serve with valor, dignity, 1 and integrity; 2 WHEREAS, law enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands in the pursuit of preserving 3 safe and secure communities must have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to 4 protect the health and safety of themselves and the residents of the Virgin Islands; 5 WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor requires that officers to never betray 6 their integrity, character or the public trust; to always have the courage to hold themselves and 7 others accountable; and to maintain the highest ethical standards; 8 WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are to uphold the values of the community and 9 agency that they serve through the performance of their duties, even though they may become 10 targets for senseless acts of violence; 11 2 WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are charged with pursuing justice for all 1 individuals and property, and performing the duties of a law enforcement officer with fidelity 2 to the laws of the Virgin Islands, and the Constitution of the United States; 3 WHEREAS, the law enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands endure and experience 4 the worst of human behavior; yet, they continue to serve selflessly; 5 WHEREAS, the law enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands continue to respond to 6 calls to service with zeal and concision; 7 WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are residents of our community who are our 8 friends, neighbors, family members, and human beings sworn to protect and serve; 9 WHEREAS, Police Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Police Officer Colvin Terrance 10 Georges, Sr., Police Officer Aaron Hodge, Police Officer Akeem Basil “Teddy” Newton, Police 11 Officer Ariel Anton Frett, Police Officer Cuthbert Ezekiel Chapman, Police Officer Steven 12 Alexis Hodge, Police Officer Dexter L. Mardenborough, Police Officer Richard Nicolas 13 Callwood, Patrolman Wilbur Horatio Francis, Patrolman Patrick Emmanuel Sweeney, 14 Patrolman Allan Williams, Patrolman Rudel Albert Parrott, Patrolman Leroy Alvaro Swan, 15 Patrolman Leopold Emanuel Fredericks, Jr., Superior Court Marshal Randy Arnaldo Stephens, 16 and Patrolman Lionel Emanuel Isaac deserve recognition for their acts of ultimate sacrifice and 17 heroism; Now, Therefore, 18 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 19 SECTION 1. The Legislature of the Virgin Islands, on behalf of the people of the Virgin 20 Islands, hereby honors, commends, and thanks posthumously Police Detective Delberth Phipps, 21 Jr., Police Officer Colvin Terrance Georges, Police Officer Aaron Hodge, Sr., Police Officer 22 Akeem Basil “Teddy” Newton, Police Officer Ariel Anton Frett, Police Officer Cuthbert 23 Ezekiel Chapman, Police Officer Steven Alexis Hodge, Police Officer Dexter L. 24 Mardenborough, Police Officer Richard Nicolas Callwood, Patrolman Wilbur Horatio Francis, 25 Patrolman Patrick Emmanuel Sweeney, Patrolman Allan Williams, Patrolman Rudel Albert 26 3 Parrott, Patrolman Leroy Alvaro Swan, Patrolman Leopold Emanuel Fredericks, Jr., Superior 1 Court Marshal Randy Arnaldo Stephens and Patrolman Lionel Emanuel Isaac posthumously for 2 their heroic actions, dedication, and service to the Virgin Islands. 3 SECTION 2. The Legislature of the Virgin Islands, on behalf of the people of the Virgin 4 Islands, hereby recognizes Police Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr. Detective Phipps, Jr. died from 5 a single gunshot wound while confronting an armed suspect in the Hospital Ground area on July 6 4, 2023. A second-generation police officer, he took pride in his work and will be remembered 7 for his commitment to law enforcement, professional standards, and robust work ethic. 8 SECTION 3. The Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department shall provide 9 the proper signage at each police station in the districts of St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John 10 bearing the names of the fallen officers. 11 SECTION 4. The sum of $12,000 is appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 12 30, 2025, from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the 13 Virgin Islands Police Department for the erection of signage for the purpose set forth in section 14 2. The sum appropriated remains available until expended. 15 SECTION 5. In recognition and appreciation of their bravery, the President of the 16 Legislature, or the President’s designee, shall have a perma plaque copy of this act prepared and 17 presented to the family, or the family’s designee, of the late police detectives, patrolmen, and 18 officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department at an appropriate ceremony. 19 BILL SUMMARY 20 This bill honors and commends police officers and patrolmen posthumously for their 21 service to the community and recognizes fallen law enforcement officials. 22 BR23-0674/March 22, 2024/NS/Revised March 25, 2024/SLR 23