Former V.I. Police Commissioner Anthon L. Christian passed away this week, prompting Gov. John deJongh Jr. to order that flags be flown at half-staff at all public buildings in the territory through sunset on the day of Christian’s interment.
Christian started his career in law enforcement in 1968 as a police cadet with the St. Croix Department of Public Safety, according to a statement from Government House. Three years later he became a full-fledged police officer.
He rose up the ranks quickly until he was promoted to Chief of Police in 1985. He became the territory’s top cop in 1993 at the end of the Farrelly administration, serving as commissioner until 1995.
“He was an expert in law enforcement techniques and management who cared deeply about his community and gave all his efforts to making the Virgin Islands a safer and more harmonious place to live,” deJongh said in a statement.
In 1979, Christian was a recipient of the Medal of Merit, Medal of Honor and other accolades.
“Chucky Christian combated corruption during his tenure as commissioner, and he led the Virgin Islands Police Department through a period of modernization, in good part thanks to his own technical knowledge and experience in employing new crime-fighting tools,” deJongh said.
