PM praises alert Customs Guard, Police Officer

Two public servants working on the Grenadine island of Union Island are being lauded by their superiors as heroes.{{more}}

Unfortunately, one of them is not alive to accept the accolade.

The southernmost island in the archipelago which makes up St Vincent and the Grenadines was in a state of disbelief on Sunday, when a 55-year-old customs guard was discovered dead, following an apparent shoot-out between local police and men on a foreign fishing trawler.

Othneil Whyte was described by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves as a brave and courageous man and a splendid gentleman, for his role in what police suspect may have been a drug related incident.

The Prime Minister, who is also Minister of National Security, along with the Permanent Secretary in that ministry, Godfred Pompey, Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, Comptroller of Customs Grenville John, Director of Grenadines Affairs Edwin Snagg and other officials, journeyed to the island, hours after Whyte, along with three men believed to be of Venezuelan nationality died in the incident.

The three foreign men died of gunshot wounds inflicted by a police officer, attached to the Rapid Response Unit (RRU). Another man who was on the vessel is hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and five others are in police custody.

The Prime Minister, who gave an official statement, following a visit to Whyte’s family and to the Union Island Dock where the trawler ‘El Amigo Fay’ was under police guard, said that he was advised that the actions of the men indicated ‘extraordinary courage and professionalism’.

“The vessel in question was hovering around outside and Mr Whyte and Corporal Deshong went to find out what was going on.

“In the process, one of the persons who was on the vessel became violent towards the police officer; and in the ensuing matter, the police officer shot four of the nine persons who were on board….”

Dr Gonsalves indicated that a post mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death of Whyte, a customs guard for 21 years, who was not shot during the exchange.

He also said that a coroner’s inquest will take place, as is the case when there is a sudden and unnatural death.

According to reports, the police officer ordered those on the vessel to bring the boat back to the dock, following the shootout which took place out at sea, and other members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force had to restrain the mob that gathered on shore, to prevent further harm from befalling the foreigners.

It was not noticed that Whyte was missing until the boat returned to the dock.

It is speculated that he either fell or jumped from the boat and tried to swim to safety.

He was discovered face down in the water shortly after 8:00 p.m. with a weak pulse.

Efforts to revive the married father of four were futile, and he was declared dead at the Union Island Health Centre.

The Prime Minister indicated that a full investigation will be carried out into the matter and pointed out that the relevant Venezuelan authorities had been informed about what had transpired.

During his visit to Whyte’s relatives at The Valley, Union Island, Gonsalves offered words of condolence, prayed with the widow and children and informed them that the state would pay for his funeral, which is expected to take place possibly on Sunday.

During the official statement, the Prime Minister said that the men were protecting the territorial integrity of St Vincent and the Grenadines when they followed up on their suspicions and boarded the vessel.

“Clearly these two public officials went to extraordinary lengths in pursuance of their duties, and I can only reiterate we should be very happy that we have dedicated police office officers, and in this case a customs guard, as exemplified in this incident.”