St. Croix Officers Honored During Police Week For Valiant Service

ST. CROIX — As part of its Police Week celebrations, which began on May 9 and runs through May 17, the St. Croix arm of the Virgin Islands Police Department celebrated and honored some of its officers on Wednesday, with awards in various categories for valiant acts while on duty.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, as part of the department’s “Stellar Awards” event, officers were honored for what the department is calling “outstanding accomplishments,” given to personnel who placed themselves in grave personal danger during the line of duty, laudable service to the department and other “highly unusual” attainments.

Detective Anthony Hector

Detective Sargent Anthony Hector was the recipient of four awards: Medal of Honor, Wounded in Combat, Police Combat Cross and the Exceptional Service awards — all given in connection with an incident that occurred in April of 2014, where Hector was engaged in a gun battle with five suspects, and sustained a shot in his back that left the officer critically wounded.

The Police Combat Cross and Exceptional Service awards were presented to Sergeant Leslie Williams and Officer Luis Cedano for an incident that occurred in November 2015, where the two officers were confronted by two gun-wielding suspects that were in the midst of robbing a jewelry store in broad daylight.

Also receiving the Police Combat Cross and Exceptional Service awards were Officers Gregory F. Bennerson, David Stevens, Sr. and Luis Cedano, for their involvement in a June 2014 attempted robbery of a local business by gun-toting suspects, where the lives of a mother and infant hung in the balance.

Officers Rolando Huertas and Gregory Bennerson received the Honorable Service award, while the Morale Booster award went to Detective Leon Cruz, Police Officers Vincent Heyliger, Reginald Pedro, Jessica Ventura and Rolando Huertas.

Emotions ran high at the awards ceremony, however, the most inspiring moment was the presentation of the Civilian Service award, given to civilians for outstanding achievement or for the rendering of valuable and courageous assistance to the members of the VIPD and/or the community.

The award recipient, Mr. Victor E. John, is credited with saving the life of Sergeant Detective Hector, by transporting the injured officer to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, after he’d been shot in the back at the Frontline Night Club in April of 2014.

Feature Image: Rear, L-R- Sen. Kenneth Gittens, Luis Cedano, Anthony Hector, Sgt. Leslie Williams, Vincent Heyliger, Fron,L-R- Deputy Chief Mirrett Benta, Leon Cruz, . Rolando Huertas, Jessica Ventura, Capt. Mary Duggan, Chief Hector

Image Credit: The Virgin Islands Police Department