SXMElections.com

By Judy H. Fitzpatrick

PHILIPSBURG--A massive crowd turned out to pay their last respects to murdered bike patrol leader Police Officer Gamali "Benji" Kwasi Benjamin, who was laid to rest on Thursday in a ceremony fit for a hero.

Scores of persons converged in Philipsburg to witness the ceremony, which attracted mourners from all over the island, including the disciplined services and dignitaries of both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin, and from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Anguilla and St. Kitts/Nevis.

"Your soul will surely rest in peace Benji," one mourner wailed at Benjamin's gravesite.

"We will always love you Benji," another cried.

Bravo 1

The funeral ceremony with honours began late Thursday morning when Benjamin's body, in a casket draped with the St. Maarten flag, was taken to the Philipsburg police station where members of the disciplined services and scores of onlookers had gathered.

This part of the ceremony included the unveiling of a large poster of Benjamin outside the station that read: "In memory of Officer Gamali Kwasi Benjamin. Brave, Bravo 1."

Acting Chief of Police Carl John said Benjamin's humility, dedication and bravery would serve as an example for members of the Police Force. "Officer Benjamin, call sign Bravo 1, has just left us," John said.

Inside the station Benjamin's photograph was placed on a wall with those of other officers who have passed, and his widow Karena was presented with a framed photograph of her late husband.

Members of the disciplined services then marched towards the location outside Oro Diamante on Front Street where the 33-year-old officer was gunned down while responding to a robbery in progress. He died three days later at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).

The crowd of spectators and mourners began to swell at the location and it was virtually impossible for persons at the back to witness what was taking place.

Closed

Many businesses on Front and Back Streets as well a few others in other parts of the country closed for the day in honour of Benjamin. Some businesses in Philipsburg such as Windward Islands Bank closed while the procession was passing and reopened afterward. Other closed as the procession was passing and did not reopen. Many stores had signs posted on their establishments indicating that they had closed in honour of Benjamin, to whom they referred as a hero.

Church

Benjamin's body was taken to the Philipsburg Methodist Church where the official part of the ceremony was held. Many persons lined the sides of the street as the procession and hearse with the body of the deceased father-of-one passed.

Tents and chairs were set up at the back of the church along with big-screen televisions, while some chairs were at the front and sides of the church where mourners sat. Loudspeakers also were set up so that persons who were outside could follow the service. As the sitting spaces inside the church as well as those in the yard were occupied, many persons stood on the street outside for the duration of the proceedings. Some stood close to buildings to shade from the sun.

The viewing of the body was emotional at times as some persons broke down. After extending condolences to family members, most persons briefly stood and looked at Benjamin's body for the last time. Some touched his face, some touched his chest or his hat that lay on his stomach, some kissed him and a few laid flowers in his casket. Members of the disciplined services, who had their hats with them, saluted the fallen officer.

A hero

Benjamin's heroism, professionalism and friendly nature and the need for all sections of the community to work together now to stamp out crime and to continue the late officer's legacy were common sentiments expressed by speakers at the church.

Chief of Police Peter de Witte said Benjamin had not been just the team leader of the bike patrol, he was also the face of the police on the streets. De Witte said this was evident by the hundreds of persons who turned out to pay their last respects to Benjamin.

The Police Chief said he had stood at Benjamin's hospital bedside while his colleagues told him he was their hero and always would be. De Witte said he was sure Benjamin had heard them and he also thought he had seen him smile.

In Benjamin's eulogy, a family member said the late officer had lost his mother at an early age and had been raised in Middle Region by his father and grandmother, who passed away last year. He originally wanted to become an architect; but later decided to become a police officer and was one of just two persons from St. Maarten who travelled to Curaçao for the police training at that time.

The family member said Benjamin had been a proud father who loved his son and loved taking him to the beach and to the police station. He was described as a man of faith who was kind, noble, caring, helpful and extremely compassionate.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs urged the community to reflect on Benjamin's character and conduct, and said everyone should do their utmost to always do the right thing. He said it was only by doing right that we would serve Benjamin as faithfully as he had served us. "We all owe our lives, livelihood and peace of mind to Officer Benjamin and those like him within the KPSM," Gumbs said.

He said Benjamin's legacy would remain as a beacon for a country. "We will take that beacon and hold it in our hearts, as you did, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the path of peace. Thank you for your service, sir, and may you rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord," Gumbs said.

Governor Eugene Holiday said St. Maarten had lost "an exceptional officer," and "a bright rising star" who had given his life in service of a higher calling of working to ensure the safety of residents. He described Benjamin as a pleasant, friendly, positive and correct person who took his work seriously.

Holiday said the "senseless" shooting of Benjamin had shocked him deeply. "It reached deep into the heart of our community and affected the mood of our nation. It has raised emotions resulting in an outpouring of grief, support and well wishes as well as calls for measures to ensure the safety of our officers and community. ... The untimely and heartbreaking loss of Gamali Benjamin reminds us of the importance of our police officers for the protection of our way of life," he said.

Before ending his speech, Holiday urged mourners to hold hands and say the words "Your pain is our pain, your gain is our gain" to Benjamin's family and colleagues.

Chairman of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson called the shooting "a moment of insanity," noting that MPs had been shocked and scared that it was one of their own colleagues under attack. He said many persons were hurting in the society as a result of this incident and authorities would have to decide quickly what to do. He said the history of the Police Force had been scarred, but noted that the country must become stronger.

Justice Minister Dennis Richardson said the community was hurt by Benjamin's passing. "Our hearts are bleeding for you." He spoke about his young days growing up where the rod was not spared and the child was not spoiled. Richardson said that while he was not promoting corporal punishment, he wanted to share a bit of history.

In a press release on Thursday, Member of the French Parliament Daniel Gibbs expressed "profound sadness" at Benjamin's death. "When such tragic events occur on our island, the pain and sadness know no borders. Today all St Martiners stand in respect to mourn the loss of one of their best servants," Gibbs said.

Burial

After the official ceremony at the church, several officers on bikes and a long line of uniformed officers led the procession to the gravesite. Scores of mourners lined the sides of Front Street as officers marched in unison.

Following the officers was a police tow truck carrying Benjamin's casket, giving spectators on the street a chance to be part of the event. The tow truck bearing the casket was followed by a throng of persons who walked along as though celebrating Benjamin's life as they sang hymns along the route.

Three six-gun salutes were fired at the burial site. The first was when Benjamin's casket entered the cemetery, the second before his casket was lowered into the grave and another after it had been lowered.

De Witte presented the flag that had draped Benjamin's casket to his sobbing widow at the gravesite. Before the grave was closed off, when a call was made for flowers to be placed in the tomb, so many mourners put their wreaths into the tomb that most of them had to be removed, leaving only the ones from family members. Officers also put their gloves and purple ribbons into the tomb before it was sealed off.

Benjamin leaves to mourn his wife Karena Benjamin-Rodrigues, son Keenan Benjamin, father Gilbert Benjamin, siblings Judycael and Neal, and numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues.