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~ Officer ‘brain dead,’ but on life support ~

CAY HILL--A solemn atmosphere took over several areas of St. Maarten on Friday as shot officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin was flown back home after being declared brain dead at a trauma centre in the Dominican Republic.

Scores of vehicles stopped and pulled to the side of the road and spectators stood and watched along the route as the ambulance with Benjamin and the procession of police vehicles snaked its way from Princess Juliana International Airport SXM to St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), where Benjamin currently is.

Many persons openly showed their emotions as the procession passed. A large group of persons gathered at SMMC for Benjamin’s arrival. After Benjamin arrived, there was hardly a dry eye at SMMC as colleagues, family, friends and supporters shed tears for the officer, whom many consider brave for his actions.

Some persons embraced each other while others had to provide comfort for friends as emotions overcame those gathered at the Emergency Room section of SMMC. Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson had to be comforted by a colleague as he broke down.

The community continued to rally around Benjamin early in the afternoon when NAGICO Insurances closed early and its employees marched along with officers and members of the community to the spot on Front Street where Benjamin had fallen and lay after being shot.

The march was organised by NAGICO in a show of solidarity for Benjamin and as a signal against crime. Like the scene at SMMC earlier, the marchers were emotional, with many shedding tears. Members of the procession sang hymns such as “We shall overcome” as they walked.

Henson and NAGICO Insurances official Eric Ellis delivered brief remarks to the crowd and blue ribbons were laid at the spot where Benjamin had fallen after being shot.

Henson said the Police Force was heartened by the outpouring of love and support from the community for their colleague. He said the members of the Force faced these situations in their line of work every day, but noted that the situation now had escalated. He said it was time for the community to come together and combat all forms of criminal activity.

He said false reports had been circulating that Benjamin had died, but this was not true, as he was still on life support, although he had been diagnosed as brain-dead.

Henson said the public would be informed of the situation as it developed.