Today at 2pm, the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Fabian and the four lives lost during the storm was commemorated at the Memorial Bench in Kindley Field Park, St. George’s. The Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva, Deputy Commissioner Mike Jackman and Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels along with various colleagues and friends, gathered in tribute to mark the occasion.

Following a brief acknowledgement of the tragic circumstances and a moment of silence, the lives of those lost were fondly remembered with flowers thrown into the ocean. [Commissioner DeSilva & Station Duty Officer Linda Mienzer pay their respects]

Prior to today’s event the Ninth Annual Remembrance Ride took place on Sunday, September 2nd, honouring the three police employees and a civilian who lost their lives. The Commissioner of Police was also in attendance at that event, as well as Assistant Commissioner Paul Wright, Superintendent Martin Weekes, former Commissioner of Police Senator Jonathan Smith (President of the September 5th Foundation), Inspector Craig Morfitt (Vice President of the September 5th Foundation) and former police constable Jeff Baron (Director of the September 5th Foundation), who joined the victims’ colleagues, family and friends for the event. [Photos courtesy of Bernews]

On September 5th 2003 Constable Stephen Symons, Constable Nicole O’Connor, Station Duty Officer Gladys Saunders and Corporation of Hamilton employee Manuel Pacheco were swept from the Causeway by Hurricane Fabian. In their honour, a motorcycle ride has been coordinated each year since on the Sunday closest to the anniversary.

For more information on the charitable work of the September 5th Foundation, please visit their website at http://september5foundation.com/.