Dear Editor,
The call to serve is not one easily or readily answered. Deciding to be the one who runs toward a disaster while helping others to escape it, or understanding that your time is no longer your own is not a choice many make. When you decide to enter this service, to wear the badge and to live the pledge, you do so knowing that it means that you will put other families above your own. You do it knowing that you will put the community above yourself.
The call to serve comes with a mandate to protect. It is not just a motto etched on our cars and badges. It is indelibly etched in our consciousness. It is woven into our basic foundation.
The spirit of a police officer is much like that of a warrior because of our deep love for everything within these shorelines; we fight fiercely to protect the land and more so, our people. We are all pieces of the whole that make up this nation we love. Each of us is like a single thread in a tapestry. One role or placement is not more important than another, but with each of us giving our contribution, the beauty of the image is visible. The tapestry cannot admire itself, but that does not diminish its beauty.
I wouldn't say that Benjamin was perfect and none of us are, but on Wednesday, August 5, he exposed the fibre of his true character. He ran towards the disaster when others were trying to escape it. He put the safety of the community above his family and above himself.
On that day, his action began a domino effect; as a people, for the first time in a very long time we stood shoulder to shoulder, hands to hearts and flooded the atmosphere with prayers for his healing and recovery. It was devastating to have to say goodbye, but look around, our prayers have been answered. Benjamin gave us one last gift before he left – you see we are the ones receiving much needed healing. Our hearts though crushed are not destroyed and will recover. This event could have easily divided us, but instead we are more of one community, one people, than ever before. That is a tribute to Benjamin.
We can understand better the concept that the stone on top of the mountain is not more important than those that form its base. We need each other for support, to rely on, to cover us and to stand in the gap for us. Regrettably the price of admission was steep.
We all have our favourite memories or stories about Benjamin; that is where he lives now. I implore you to keep them alive and keep sharing them. One day his legacy, his heartbeat, his son Keenan, may need to be immersed in our memories of his father.
As we witnessed St. Maarten come out in support of Benjamin, it was evident that we, the people, saw him not as he was, we saw him as we desired. We saw him through Heaven's eyes. We had hoped that he would get to see how much we loved him, but we weren't deterred from standing in support of him. Whether you knew him as a friend, colleague, from his bike route or his neighbourhood, we can agree that he changed our world. It can never be business as usual again.
We are now responsible for paying this debt forward. Whether it is a kind word or a good deed the opportunities are endless. We can no longer pass someone in need without caring or showing compassion.
Most of us did not get to say goodbye to Benjamin before he took his leave of us on Saturday. We did not get to wish him well on his new journey or to thank him for his years of tireless service. We did not get the opportunity to let him know that we appreciated his sacrifice or to remind him that we would never forget him or to ask him if he would remember us.
The Police Department has lost an officer and a comrade, but St. Maarten has lost a son, father, friend, brother, mentor, and a hero.
Gamali Benjamin, you lived well and you died honourably. You have the gratitude and respect of a grateful nation.
BRAVO 1, We salute you. Go well.
Inspector S.P. Carty
Bike Team
