‘He Was My Only Child’: Officer Kai Javois Laid To Rest

ST. CROIX — Steve Javois, the father of slain police officer Kai Javois, took to the podium at the Adventist Church in Peter’s Rest this morning and set the tone for what wound up being a homegoing service that accentuated the accomplished life of the officer, his good heart; the sorrow still piercing the hearts of many in the community –not the least of which being Mr. Javois’ biological and police families — and the undeserving death he suffered.

The father’s account was followed by that of others, all of whom painted a picture of a dedicated and good man, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was a U.S. Marine, and finally decided to return home to serve as a police officer.

But it was here in St. Croix — not on the dangerous battlefields of the Middle East —  that he was viciously attacked and killed; leaving to mourn a fiance, sister, mother, father, step-father and many more.

“It is hard for me to come up here and speak because Kai is my son, he’s my only child,” Mr. Javois said, the audience letting off a loud groan filled with sorrow. “My only child. My only boy child. He was a positive kid. He did things always in a positive path.”

Mr. Javois said his son was strong; a man who, once his mind had been made up, would push onward with his plans. He spoke of his son’s upbringing, from the Pathfinder’s Club at the Adventist Church to his gift of swimming.

“I deeply regret his passing. It hurt me so much it’s unbelievable, I have had so many sleepless nights it’s unbelievable. To see a man go so many days without sleep… yet I know it’s the prayers of the saints from this church keeping me everyday,” Mr. Javois said.

Mr. Javois, as did most of the other tribute speakers, said Officer Javois did not deserve the death he suffered. And he called on the V.I.P.D. to do its job of finding his son’s killer so that justice could be served.

“This is unacceptable. I can’t do nothing about it; I’m not a police officer. But I pray and hope that they look into this and solve this problem. This is a problem we’re having in our community. People are dying too young. I’m 50 years old and my son was so young. When I was his age, I’d just catch myself,” Mr. Javois said.

Tony Emanuel, a fellow marine and once head of a security firm that Officer Javois worked for, spoke fondly of the man he called a friend, stating that Officer Javois was one of the most reliable persons he’s known.

“To have someone like that, I wished we could have cloned him,” Mr. Emanuel, who now works at the V.I.P.D., said. “And I know many of you that are part of the military or police, I know me personally, I’m very angry. Frustrated, angry, hurt — that someone who served our country as proudly as he did, and then come here and gets killed.”

Don Peter, a police officer who grew up with Officer Javois as they attended the same church, spoke of his slain friend as a brother. He said whenever they met on the field, their greets were always above normal: instead of a simple nod or handshake, they would embrace. The two officers shared many personal moments and spoke about life continuously. Mr. Peter recalled a moment at Home Depot when Officer Javois used his veteran discount card to help Mr. Peter purchase an item, describing it as a moment in time that sealed their fates as brothers.

Mr. Peter was asked whether he and Officer Javois were brothers. He paused, wondering how to respond, and finally said they were best friends.

“We were walking out of Home Depot and [Kai] looked at me. I asked what happened, and he said, ‘Don’t you dare; I am your brother for life.'”

The audience sat somberly as the tributes came. At various points, some would start crying, choosing to let out the pain. More tributes only added to the difficulty of dealing with losing someone that so many held dear to their hearts.

Senator Novelle Francis, a friend of Officer Javois’ father, shared condolences as a community leader but also as a police officer, himself being a former police. Mr. Francis also spoke of forgiveness and finding the strength to heal. Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter spoke as well, asking the community to help the force solve the double homicide by sharing whatever they may know. The lieutenant governor added that, although some things lack sense, there’s always purpose; even amid hurt, pain and confusion.

Fittingly, the words of Police Commissioner Delroy Richards touched the audience. Relegating the need to look tough as head of the entire force, Mr. Richards appeared hurt throughout his tribute. The commissioner knew Officer Javois personally, and looked at him as a future leader in the department. A man of promise, he said, whose life was cut short.

Mr. Richards spoke of a special detail created within the force that included the best officers. “In that detail was Kai,” he said. As he spoke, some in the audience could be heard sobbing. “Anyone who knew him, knew of his willingness to serve this community. He was very meticulous in everything he did. A very good officer who loved assisting people. There is nothing that you couldn’t ask Kai to do.”

Mr. Richards promised the family that “no stone will be left unturned,” in bringing Officer Javois’ killer to justice.

“His desire to rise within the ranks of the Police Department was cut short. But I’ll say this, you did your best. You did exactly as I expected you to do. I know Kai would never let me down. We had plans for you, but I believe the master had other plans greater than any plans we had,” Mr. Richards said. “And I’ll say this to your family: Kai was one of the officers who did well. You should be proud of him. He made me proud.”

Officer Javois was 28.

The funeral was followed by an interment at the Kingshill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.