Date: April 26, 2004
Contact: Sandra Brunet
Phone: 340-774-2991
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VARGRAVE A. RICHARDS MOURNS DEATH OF OFFICER CUTHBERT
CHAPMAN
Lieutenant Governor Vargrave Richards extends his heartfelt condolences
to the family of Officer Cuthbert Chapman who died today in Puerto Rico.
Lieutenant Governor Richards states: "I am profoundly moved by
the passing of young Officer Chapman, whom I visited recently at the
Juan Luis Hospital. I am shocked by his death." Officer Chapman,
Lieutenant Governor Richards noted, appeared to be in great spirits
and on the mend.
Lieutenant Governor Richards implores the St. Croix community and the
Virgin Islands public, in general, to come together to eradicate the
dangerous criminal elements harming our communities. Lieutenant Governor
Richards admonished that: "Unless we support the Virgin Islands
Police Department as equal and full partners in the fight against crime,
we all stand to lose. We must understand that we all share the burden
of loss, whether it be life or property, and that we should not become
apathetic bystanders, but must become active participants in the policing
process."
"The social and economic health of our communities depends on
the extent to which the public safety of all residents and visitors
can be assured. It behooves us to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding
our lives and that of all others. It is unacceptable that any life -
particularly that of one who has committed by career and unselfish service
to protect us - be lost. I am saddened by Officer Chapman's senseless
death and ask that you join me in prayer and hope that the unfortunate
circumstances of escalating crime will change," Lieutenant Governor
Richards concluded.
