The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) is currently mourning the loss of two police officers in one day. Constable Philsbert Williams and Corporal Ryan Shillingford both died on December 26, 2020 under different circumstances. Williams died in a motorbike accident while Shillingford died at a Martinique hospital.
Police PRO, Inspector John Carbon, revealed that Williams died in a motorbike accident along E.O Leblanc Highway. He was riding the motorbike which crashed with a Suzuki car driven by one Jeno Joseph.
“The collision occurred while the car was traveling northwards and turning East onto Charles Avenue and the motorcycle was traveling south along the highway,” Carbon said.
Williams and the three occupants in the car were rushed to the National Hospital but the police officer died, even though the car passengers were treated and discharged. Williams’ body was deposited to the Lyndhurst Funeral Home to await autopsy.
In a related event, Corporal Shillingford had been a patient at Princess Margaret Hospital but was airlifted to Martinique for further medical attention but ultimately gave up the ghost in hospital.
Chairman of the Police Welfare Association (PWA), Corporal Jefferson Drigo, said the unfortunate loss of two police officers on the same is a double tragedy for the entire police force.
“It is a sad day for the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) having lost two police officers on the same day,” he said.
While extolling the virtues of Williams as a jovial and hardworking police officer, Drigo commended Shillingford as a praise-worthy officer in the traffic department where he worked last. He encouraged the families of both deceased officers to remain strong and trust in God for sustenance in the face of their losses.
“We want to pledge our support as a Welfare to families of both men, we ask you to be strong; it will affect us somehow, but we will rebound,” Drigo said.
Trauma surgeon and medical consultant, Dr. Samuel Christian, also sympathized with the families of the deceased and the CDPF over the deaths of Williams and Shillingford, adding that the prevention of road accidents must remain a priority of the police department in Dominica.
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