Tributes Paid To Sergeant Gregory Grimes
Tributes have been paid to Police Sergeant Gregory Grimes, who passed away early Thursday morning, with Sergeant Grimes called a highly respected and admired person who had a passion about policing and his community.
Police Statement
A statement from the police said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] regrets to announce the death of Sergeant Gregory MacArthur Grimes. Sergeant Grimes passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning following a medical emergency on Wednesday afternoon in which several police colleagues came to his aid.”
“Sergeant Grimes joined the BPS as a police cadet in August 1978. He was promoted to sergeant in April 1991 and he served in a variety of posts including uniform, CID, and Special Branch. More recently, he held the post of lead custody sergeant.
“He managed the custody facility at Hamilton Police Station and he had direct leadership of new police recruits and probationary constables. His professional commitment and high performance earned him the award of Officer of the Year twice in the last five years.
“Sergeant Grimes was also awarded the Overseas Territories [Police] Medal for meritorious service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.
“Outside of policing, he served as a board member and former chair of the BFA as well as a FIFA referee. He was actively involved in all aspects of football in Bermuda for over 20 years, including youth football, coaching and refereeing.
“He has represented Bermuda internationally as part of the BFA’s delegations to matches held by the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF.”
Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva, said, “This comes as tragic and difficult news for many of us who knew him well.
“Greg was highly respected and admired, and he touched the hearts of so many of our officers and support staff. He was regarded as an exemplary and compassionate supervisor who cared deeply about his colleagues, and he had a passion about policing and his community.
“We are all stunned by the loss of Greg and we have activated welfare and support services for any of our staff that might need them.
“On behalf of the officers and staff of the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Reserve Police, I offer our sincere condolences to Greg’s family and friends who are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. He will be intensely missed.”
BFA Statement
Saying he was speaking on behalf of the Executive Council, staff and the entire family of football, BFA President Mark Wade said, “Today, our dear friend and colleague, Mr. Gregory Grimes was called to take his Heavenly rest.
“We at the Bermuda Football Association have heavy hearts as we contemplate football without “Grimes” with us. Gregory Grimes was a servant of the game.
“Even though retired from our Executive Council, he continued to serve football on our Referee Committee, Youth Committee, and as a Match Commissioner. His frequent visits to the BFA Office to work on his days off to assist where ever he could will be sorely missed.
“Through our tears we take time to send condolences to his family and our friends in the Bermuda Police Service. We encourage everyone to remember the good times, the mentorship, the quiet guidance, and the confident assurance his presence has brought us all.
“As a show of respect to our friend, all matches this weekend will observe a moment of silence as we do what he would have wanted; “play the game”.
Minister Jeff Baron’s Statement
Minister Baron said, “Yesterday, a cherished member of the Bermuda police family put on his uniform to serve and protect the community he loved. Sadly, he never did start his shift. And early this morning, he left us.
“Sergeant Gregory Grimes personified our best, most decent instincts as people – to serve our neighbors, to help others despite the risks regardless of who they were, what they looked like or where they were from.
“He served Bermuda for many years and did so professionally, effectively and with his trademarked quiet confidence. He was a mentor to me early in my Police career as a detective. He was a friend. And he will live on through the legacy he left within the BPS. May God bless Greg, his family, his Bermuda police family and all of those who loved him.”
Shadow Minister Walter Roban’s Statement
Shadow Minister of National Security Walter Roban said, “All of us at the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Bermuda Police Sergeant Gregory Grimes. We acknowledge his tireless efforts in a long career as a police officer serving the community he loved.
“For many years, he devoted much time and energy as a football referee and as an administrator in various capacities with the Bermuda Football Association.
“Twice in the space of barely a week we have lost a former stalwart of the Bermuda Police Service family. Sergeant Gregory Grimes was admired and well respected for his community based work as an officer, with the BFA and with FIFA.
“The Police, the football community and the whole island have lost a treasure. On behalf of the Party our condolences go out to his close family and many friends locally and overseas.”
