May 3, 2004 – More than 40 police officers in white dress shirts and gloves lined the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport runway Monday afternoon as the body of Officer Cuthbert E. Chapman was returned home from Puerto Rico, where he died April 26, nine days after being hospitalized with gunshot wounds sustained during an April 17 robbery attempt at the Wendy's restaurant in Sunny Isle Shopping Center.
The cargo plane bearing Chapman's body landed at about 1:30 p.m. Six police officers carefully unloaded the flag-draped casket. Accompanied by a color guard carrying the U.S., V.I. and police flags, they moved along the tarmac as family members slowly approached. Other police officers and cadets and territorial marshals stood at attention, their hands raised in salute to their fallen comrade, as the casket was loaded into a waiting hearse.
Government officials and family members joined the cadre of police in the solemn ceremony at the airport marking the return of Chapman's body.
"We cannot continue to have this happen in our community," Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards said of Chapman's death. When Richards and Chapman were children, their families were neighbors, he noted. "This is personal," he said. "It is important that our community assists."
Delegate Donna M. Christensen said the whole community should continue to support Chapman's family. Expressing confidence in Police Commissioner Elton Lewis and other law-enforcement personnel, she urged that anyone having information about the shooting "come forth in a tribute. It is important that we go back to a loving, sharing community."
The sirens of police Trailblazers and cruisers broke through the hustle and bustle of traffic around 2 p.m., alerting the community to the arrival of the body. A procession of about 20 vehicles followed the hearse as it exited the airport and proceeded eastward on Melvin Evans Highway, onto Queen Mary Highway and then along Northside Road to James Memorial Funeral Home in La Grande Princesse.
As family and friends gathered around, the members of the force lined the walkway to the chapel and saluted. Tears rolled down a few cheeks; others sternly held back, but one broke into sobs after the officers were dismissed.
Chapman's body will lie in state at Government House in Christiansted from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Viewing will be from noon at Peter's Rest Seventh-day Adventist Church, with the funeral to follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be with full honors in the police section of Kingshill Cemetery.
In a radio interview this week on Isle 95, the officer's sister Cassandra Chapman told listeners: "My brother has put his life on the line. Don't let my brother's life be in vain."
In a release on Monday, Senate President David Jones said the Legislature will present the Chapman family and the Police Department with a video recording of the memorial observances.
"We are glad to provide this service to the family and to Officer Chapman's fellow police officers," Jones said. "We hope that, in time, the family and the Police Department can view the memorial service and be proud of the valuable contributions made by Officer Cuthbert Chapman."
Jones also expressed hope that a sense of community togetherness will lead to the apprehension of those responsible for the policeman's death.
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