The Virgin Islands Police Department lost one of its own last week.
A 28-year-old rookie VIPD officer apparently took his own life in an office at the Leander Jurgen Command around 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26.
Officer Dwayne Isaac had only been on the job for about a year when he turned his department-issued .40 Glock on himself inside the police station in Cruz Bay.
The St. Thomas resident had been on duty since 11 p.m. and had returned to the station around 6 a.m. when he spoke briefly with his sergeant and entered a first-floor office to write an incident report, according to a report.
While officials believe Isaac took his own life with a single gunshot discharged from his police issued firearm, the VIPD’s Major Crimes Unit is conducting an investigation into the matter, according to department spokesperson Monyka Johnigan.
Although rumors about a possible connection to a failed romance spread across the island, VIPD officials offered no information regarding a possible motive for the apparent suicide.
VIPD Assistant Commissioner Novelle Francis and VIPD Deputy Chief Melven Venzen visited Isaac’s parents — with whom he lived — to personally notify them of their son’s passing.
“The loss of this promising young officer is especially troubling and we wanted to assure his family that we will do everything in our power to assist them through this difficult time,” said Francis in a prepared statement.
VIPD Commissioner James McCall was out of the territory last week, but spoke with Isaac’s parents by telephone.
Counselling Services
“Although Officer Isaac had only been a member of the VIPD for a short time he had an impact on those who worked with him and those in the community in which he served,” McCall said in a press release. “He will be missed.”
VIPD victim advocate Leslie Webb contacted the Isaac family as well as VIPD personnel who recently worked with the young officer.
“We made sure counselors, psychologists and other support staff mobilized on Wednesday to provide immediate counseling services to fellow members of Officer Isaac’s police academy graduating class and others who were hit particularly hard by news of his passing,” said McCall.
Personnel from every level of the VIPD offered sympathy to Issac’s family and friends.
Condolences to Family
“I just want to offer my deepest condolences to Officer Isaac’s family and those affected by the loss of this fine young man,” said VIPD St. John Deputy Chief Darren Foy. “In the short time I had the privilege of knowing him, he always conducted himself in a professional manner. He was an asset to the VIPD and the St. John community.”
“It’s always hard to lose a member of our family especially one so young and promising,” said VIPD St. Thomas/St. John District Chief Rodney Querrard. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Government officials, including Governor John deJongh and Senator at Large Carmen Wesselhoft, also issued press releases extending sympathy to Isaac’s family.
