USVI Public Records

Document text

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 05/26/2026-AMENDED AND REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 05/07/2026-REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY BILL NO. 36-0191 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands October 27, 2025 An act honoring and commending Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., posthumously for his service with the Virgin Islands Police Department and to the Virgin Islands community, by renaming the portion of Hospital Gade where it intersects with Veterans Drive, at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex, to the beginning of the Maude Proudfoot Drive, the “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street” PROPOSED BY: Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Sponsors: Avery L. Lewis, Franklin D. Johnson, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Kenneth L. Gittens and Milton E. Potter Co-sponsor: Ray Fonseca WHEREAS, Detective Delberth Phipps Jr. served with distinction in the Virgin Islands 1 Police Department for seven years, demonstrating unwavering dedication to public safety and 2 service; 3 WHEREAS, on July 4, 2023, Detective Phipps was fatally wounded in the line of duty while 4 responding to an armed suspect in the Jah Yard area of Hospital Ground, exemplifying bravery 5 and commitment to protecting the community; 6 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps was highly regarded by his colleagues and the community for 7 his professionalism, positive demeanor, and passion for service; 8 2 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps was known for his love of motorcycles and was an active 1 member of the Love City Riders, engaging in community events and fostering relationships 2 throughout the Virgin Islands; 3 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps was a devoted mentor to young officers, providing 4 guidance and training to ensure the highest level of law enforcement service within the 5 community; 6 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps was a dedicated family man, known for his deep love for 7 his family, which he expressed through his unwavering support and presence in their lives; 8 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps actively participated in local charity events, assisting in 9 fundraisers, back-to-school drives, and community outreach programs to uplift the Virgin 10 Islands community; 11 WHEREAS, Detective Phipps received commendations and awards throughout his 12 career, recognizing his exceptional service, leadership, and sacrifice in protecting the people of 13 the Virgin Islands; and 14 WHEREAS, it is fitting to honor Detective Phipps' legacy and sacrifice by renaming a 15 portion of Hospital Gade in his memory; Now, Therefore, 16 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 17 SECTION 1. The Legislature of the Virgin Islands, on behalf of the people of the Virgin 18 Islands, honors and commends Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., posthumously for his years of 19 service with the Virgin Islands Police Department and to the people of the Virgin Islands. 20 SECTION 2. The President of the Legislature, or the President’s designee, shall present 21 a perma plaque copy of this act to a representative of Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., at an 22 appropriate ceremony. 23 SECTION 3. (a) The portion of Hospital Gade where it intersects with Veterans Drive 24 at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex, to the beginning of Maude Proudfoot 25 Drive, is renamed the “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street.” 26 3 (b) The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works shall place signage bearing the 1 inscription “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street” at Hospital Gade where it 2 intersects with Veterans Drive and at the beginning of the Maude Proudfoot Drive. 3 (c) The sum of $5,000 is appropriated in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, 4 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin 5 Islands to the Department of Public Works to erect the signage. 6 (d) The sum appropriated in subsection (c) remains available until expended. 7 BILL SUMMARY 8 This bill honors and commends Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., posthumously for his 9 service with the Virgin Islands Police Department and to the Virgin Islands community by 10 renaming the portion of Hospital Gade where it intersects with Veterans Drive, at the Alexander 11 Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex to the beginning of the Maude Proudfoot Drive, the 12 “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street.” 13 BR25-0052/August 25, 2025/SLR/Revised September 9, 2025 14 S:\AMENDS\36th Legislature\GITTENS, KENNETH L\Amendment 36-812\Amendment No. 36- 15 812 - DRAFTED ON YELLOW.docx 16