Commissioner: Vickers Was “Shining Example”
[Updated] The Commissioner of Police Mr. Michael DeSilva expressed sadness today upon learning of the passing of Mr. Eugene Vickers [pictured left], retired Commandant of the Bermuda Reserve Police [BRP].
Mr. Vickers died on Saturday afternoon [Oct 18] in hospital overseas. His career began with the Reserve Constabulary, as it was known then, in 1964.
He helped to lead the organisation through a series of modernisation changes in the late 1990s including a change in name.
A change in uniform to match their full-time colleagues and a change in training to facilitate wider deployment of Reserve Officers across a fuller spectrum of general police duties.
Mr. Vickers was appointed as the fifth Commandant of the BRP in September 1999, becoming the first born Bermudian to reach that rank. In 2001 he led the BRP in celebration of its 50th anniversary of establishment by Act of Parliament.
In October 2002 Mr. Vickers proudly hosted the Reserve Police Commandants World Conference in Bermuda.
He was a recipient of the Colonial Police Medal [CPM] for Meritorious Service and he retired after 40 years of service in October 2004.
He was later awarded as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2011 for his lifetime dedication to community service in Bermuda.
Commissioner DeSilva said, “The Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Reserve Police have lost a highly respected colleague and friend. Commandant Vickers was a strong man who loved his family and his island. He was a shining example of philanthropy and a dedicated community servant.
“His 40 years as a reserve police officer and his endless involvement in community projects set a standard for leadership in Bermuda. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family as they cope with this very sad loss.”
Update 2.49pm: PLP Leader Marc Bean said, “On behalf of the Progressive Labour Party, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Eugene Vickers, MBE, on his passing.
“Mr. Vickers, a 40 year member of the Bermuda Reserve Police and a former Commandant, is a shining example of one who dedicated much of his life to his community. He was a dedicated community servant and will be truly missed.
Mr. Bean commented, “I am truly in shock at this news as I was supposed to meet with Mr. Vickers last week. This news has certainly saddened me. I give my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
The headline said everything about the man. When I saw the headline my immediate thought was that the Commissioner was praising Mr. Vickers for some selfless act he had done after the hurricane. It was a shock when I actually read that he had pass away. Condolences to his family, friends and police family.
To the family of the late Mr. Vickers you have lost your loved one, and we as a country have lost a true statesman, Mr. Vickers was and will go down in Bermuda history as a Ambassador of Bermuda,A man who committed his life to making a better Bermuda, not just in his profession but on a personal note,many people can attest to his great advice and wisdom he would share with those who had fallen by the way side, and to those who needed to be put back on the right path.
It is people like Mr. Vickers that give people like me a reason to be thankful, that he crossed our paths during his life path on earth, our condolences and prayers to the family, and truly this is a jewel in Heaven that has returned home to his creator, surrounded by his countless love ones.
Commandant Eugene Vickers is a shining example of a right minded individual and a credit to his Family…and…..those that he touched and helped along the way..! May he rest in peace as he was always a very peaceful but firm committed sincere public servant and community spirited……Man..!
It is with heavy hearts that we express our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Vickers. He was an honorable man and a true friend to many here in the Bahamas (Nassau & Freeport Alike). As we will all miss him I’m sure he is at peace. Take your rest Mr. Vickers – we love you but God loves you best!
On behalf of my family, I wish to express condolences to the family of the late Mr. Eugene Vickers. First meeting Mr. Vickers when I was a policeman and later connecting as a Christian minister and taxi operator, I became very acquainted with his zeal for community service and passion for a restored Bermuda given the criminal vices that were plaguing the country. As serious as our conversations could be, while in company with my older brother Ricky who had served as a BRP under Mr. Vickers’ command, we occasionally shared lots of laughs about his life’s experiences over many years as a citizen, community leader, reserve policeman/officer, and a committed family man. Mr. Vickers will be dearly missed. May the Lord bless all of us with an inspiration that makes our memories of Mr. Eugene Vickers eternally sweet!