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RVIPF mourns death of retired officer Thomas Winchester

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is mourning the death of former Sergeant of Police Mr Thomas Winchester, who retired from the RVIPF on July 31, 2000. Photo: RVIPF/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is mourning the death of former Sergeant of Police Mr Thomas Winchester, who retired from the RVIPF on July 31, 2000.

Mr Winchester, who was born in Dominica, was 76 years of age at the time of his death, having been born on June 25, 1947.

After serving as a police officer in St Kitts for some years, Mr Winchester joined the RVIPF in 1970 where he worked on the Beat and Patrol.

According to the RVIPF, Mr Winchester became a member of the Special Duties Unit and in in 1980, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal in charge of shift on the Beat. In 1982, when the rank of Corporal was taken out of the service; however, Mr Winchester was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

“Sgt. Winchester was a keen officer committed to duty and inspired the officers under his supervision to do well in their duties,” the RVIPF stated.

Mentor & dedicated officer

In August 1984, according to the RVIPF, Mr Winchester was transferred to the Virgin Gorda Police Station, where he molded and mentored many officers, “and he continued to be a dedicated and committed officer.”

Mr Winchester also acted in the post of Inspector numerous times while in Virgin Gorda for 6 years before he was transferred back to Tortola in 1990 when he served as police prosecutor in the Magistrate's court.

His last stint in the RVIPF was as the procurement officer in charge of the storeroom, and the police band master.

The Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Thomas Winchester.

17 Responses to “RVIPF mourns death of retired officer Thomas Winchester”

  • WOW (23/06/2024, 16:36) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yet another soldier has fallen. You did served your adopted country ( BVIs).
    I you loved VG and it's people with all your heard.
    You taught a lot of musician and you were the one behind the start of the first Police Marching Band.
    Sgt Thomas " Tommy" Wichester may your soul rest in eternal peace.
    A big man with a soft and kind heart.
    Gone but will never be forgotten.
  • Mourner (23/06/2024, 17:02) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tommy, you will be missed. Police Officer, musician and many more hats you wore. Condolences to your family and may you rest in eternal peace.
  • Gooseberry (23/06/2024, 18:14) Like (3) Dislike (20) Reply
    How dem say, expatriates do not contribute to the building up
    Of the BVI
    Some of dem so damm badmindef, they will say “ But you get pay”
    How much of dem dont get pay and do not produce.
    We love in such a sick ungrateful world !!
    • BVIslander (24/06/2024, 08:11) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Please spell check your comments before posting your hatred towards BVIslanders; it's very hard to comprehend. You sound like a badminded, ungrateful expatriate
    • @ gooseberry (24/06/2024, 15:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The people that migrated to our shores in the earlier years most of them respected the indigenous people of this territory. They are not like some of those that come to our shores now for grabs. Some of them need to take a page from the older heads and be productive citizens not trying to rob, steal, kill, rape, conartist and the list goes on and on.
  • Andrew Cox Sr (23/06/2024, 19:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Special thanks to all of his Love Ones
  • Stevens Fam (23/06/2024, 19:36) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a corpulent and homely man. RIP bredda
  • Voter6 (23/06/2024, 19:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    HE WAS THE BIGGEST IN THE POLICE FORCE AND THE FASTEST NO OTHER POLICE COULD RUN AS FAST AS TOMMY
    MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE .HE WILL BE SURELY MISS.
  • local boy (23/06/2024, 20:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remembered Tommy the man who was a firm and police officer. He believed in the community he played in many bands the Vinomar Sonics, The Trends and Badness Brass in 1981 you give your life to Chris Jesus and never look back you helped created The renoun Gospel Band the Regenerated Singers. You also had your music school both in VG and Tortola. You nutured many children of the bvi both in Policing and music ????. A great man is with the ages. Condolences to his family ???? and friends. Rest in peace soldier.
  • Lb (23/06/2024, 23:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest easy big boy
  • friend (24/06/2024, 06:14) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tommy was a good man. A dedicated police officer and family man. Rest easy my fallen friend. You will live in the hearts of all who know you and befriended you. May his family be comforted.
  • guy hill (24/06/2024, 07:15) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Condolences to his entire family. Rest easy my life long friend.
  • Fam (24/06/2024, 09:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another soldier gone. RIP Tommy. Great musiciahere and abroad,n, great Police officer, One of a kind. Condolences to the entire family.
  • Sad (24/06/2024, 13:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest In Peace Big guy. Condolences to the family and friends
  • Condolences (24/06/2024, 15:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Condolences to the family
  • Vi (24/06/2024, 21:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest in peace Tommy
  • Doll (26/06/2024, 07:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIEP Tommy! You were an exceptional, hardworking, polite, calm, loving son, sibling, father, grandfather, Uncle, Police officer, friend and neighbour. You loved God, your Children, Music, the Law and Cricket. Condolences to his sons, Anthony & Bruce-Lee aka Bingy, his daughters, Andrea, Brenda-Lee and Christine and his former colleagues at the RVIPF and Magistrate Court, membets of the Regenerated Singers, his former music students in Virgin Gorda and Tortola. Tommy, the battle is now over and you have gone to rest until the day of ressurrection where you will meet our Lord and Savior. We will miss you but your memory will live on forever.


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