Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police, Her Majesty’s Prison, and BVI Fire and Rescue Services received awards for long service and good conduct at a private ceremony today at Government House.

His Excellency the Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert  explained at the ceremony that while the tradition is to hold a grand birthday celebration and parade in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday, this year’s event was significantly scaled back to allow for adequate social distancing in keeping with COVID-19 best practices.

Governor Jaspert said, “This is not a normal ceremony with the full parade and celebration that we would have to mark the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, but it gives me great pleasure that we have adapted, that we can ensure that in a safe, socially distanced way, we are still able to mark the birthday of our sovereign.”

The Governor added, “Recognising loyal service was an ideal way to observe the occasion. There is no more fitting way to mark her 94 years of dedicated service to the public across the world than to recognise and award medals to those here who have dedicated their lives to service as well.”

The ceremony was also attended by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew Fahie; Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent Wheatley; Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley; and Deputy Governor David Archer, Jr. and others.

The full list of honourees is as follows:

Overseas Territories Police Service Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 18 Years

Constable Terry Humphrey
Constable Andy Lawrence
Constable Clyde Potter
Constable Curtis Roberts
Constable Shem Stay
Sergeant Calvin Cockburn
Sergeant Jason Harford
Inspector Saif Kaddoura

First Clasp to the Overseas Territories Police Service Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 25 Years

Auxiliary Juline Lloyd
Sergeant Janet Mitchell

Second Clasp to the Overseas Territories Police Service Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 30 Years

Inspector Ernest Gumbs

Overseas Territories Prison Service Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 18 Years

Prison Officer Trevor Lyle
Prison Officer John Rodney
Prison Officer Euris Thomas

First Clasp to the Overseas Territories Fire and Rescue Brigade Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 25 Years

Leading Fire Officer Benson Thomas

Second Clasp to the Overseas Territories Fire and Rescue Brigade Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct – 30 Years

Fire Officer Roy Thomas
Fire Officer Dayron Baronville

NOTE:   Photo caption: His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Augustus J.U. Jaspert awarded 17 medals for Long Service and Good Conduct to officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison and the BVI Fire and Rescue Services during a private ceremony held at Government House in celebration of the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.