Police officer shot & killed on St Thomas, USVI

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The deceased officer has been identified as Delberth Phipps, Jr., 42. He served seven years at the VIPD, 6 as a detective. Photo: VIC

VI CONSORTIUM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- A [US] VI Police Department officer was shot and killed in St Thomas on Tuesday morning, July 4, 2023, while responding to an incident in Hospital Ground in an area called 'Jah Yard', the Consortium has confirmed.

According to police sources, a concerned resident called emergency services to report the sighting of an armed man brandishing a firearm. When officers arrived on the scene, the suspect is said to have opened fire on the officers, who in turn returned fire, striking the suspect twice, according to VIPD sources. However, the suspect, who police have identified as Richardson Dangleben, was wearing a bulletproof vest, police say, and had multiple firearms on his person. One officer sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the shootout and succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased officer has been identified as Delberth Phipps, Jr., 42. He served seven years at the VIPD, 6 as a detective, according to VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte.

Governor Bryan 'infuriated & saddened'

Governor Albert A. Bryan issued a statement Tuesday morning, saying he was infuriated and saddened by the incident. Mr Bryan also expressed condolences to the VIPD and the deceased officer's family, and he ordered the US Virgin Islands flag to be flown at half-staff for a week in honor and memory of the officer's death.

"I am incensed and deeply saddened by the loss of Detective Delberth Phipps Jr, who was killed in the line of duty this morning. This tragic incident reminds us of the risks our law enforcement officers face daily in their unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe and is a devastating blow not only to his family, friends, and colleagues but to the entire Virgin Islands community," the governor said.

He added, “My prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones as they try to get through what I am sure is an unimaginably difficult time.

“I have ordered the Virgin Islands Flag to fly at half-staff for one week beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, July 5, in honor of Detective Phipps’ service and sacrifice."

VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez is expected to provide statements, the Consortium has learned.

Dangleben was arrested in February after confessing to authorities that he had shot and killed a man, 68-year-old Keith Jennings, claiming he was defending himself from Jennings. He was released from custody.

15 Responses to “Police officer shot & killed on St Thomas, USVI”

head (04/07/2023, 14:08) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
Bullet proof vest
Ok where’s you all training aim for his head and give him corn
- @head (04/07/2023, 19:23) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
  Like really if you get pull over in a usa state and get mistake for a wanted killer would you want them shoot to kill you or shoot to disarm you.
  
  I think we as humans love violence
pat (04/07/2023, 14:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
So sad to hear this news
herbs power (04/07/2023, 14:36) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
Our police here more smart. they don't show up for confrontation. or else we would have one or two dead police officers here to on Saturday.
usvi (04/07/2023, 14:38) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
When the criminal killed the man in hospital Ground back in February, he should have NEVER been released from custody, it was not self defense. Now here we go 4 months later he killed a cop. Home boy walking around in bullet proof vest and guns. Tell you on thing though, cops don’t like when you kill one of there’s they are going to bury his ass under the prison with concrete on top. He will never see what sunlight looks like again. KARMA STRIKE HIM DOWN FOR KILLING THE INNOCENT MAN AND THE COP. I use to live up hospital ground and I move out because hospital ground is the bowels of the hood. I would not drive through or walk through that area if you pay me.
- @usvi (04/07/2023, 21:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
  You got that right, cops don’t take it likely when you kill one of their own.The whole force is going to hunt you down at any cost necessary.
Sad, Sad, Sad. Listen officers (04/07/2023, 14:41) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
Stop entering into dispute, conflicts and robbery blindly..Not because you name police means that bullet afraid of you, Always proceeding with caution, listen observed assess situation before you act, when things look like it getting out of control, seek cover, protect yourself and call back up..Don't play hero and die
SAD! (04/07/2023, 14:48) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
This is what Police face every day! The possibility that today they will not go home alive. We too cowardly to come forward, to give evidence or to turn in our backward relatives behind the mask. Yet, we will wipe our mouth on these officers who put their lives on the line with nastiness online comments. We need to stop it.
usvi (04/07/2023, 16:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
A POLICE OFFICER LOST HIS LIFE FOR DOING HIS JOB. SO GLAD THEY GOT THE PSYCO OFF THE STREETS, HE WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE ELSE, YOU KILL ONCE YOU WILL KILL AGAIN. HE IS GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON. HE GOING OFF ISLAND TO SIT IN PRISON WHERE HIS LIFE IS GOING TO BE HELL AT THE HANDS OF THE TRUE GANGSTERS IN MAXIMUM LOCK UP.
WOW (04/07/2023, 19:03) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
4th of July. Its a good move they shot him because who knows if the guy was ready for a killing spree. Heros, rip.
- @wow (04/07/2023, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  They shot him but the bullet proof vest he had on stop the bullets from doing any damage.
- @wow (04/07/2023, 23:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
  Dude was going to light someone or something up. Wearing bullet proof vest and multiple fire arms. Can you imagine one of him walking around this place?
FYI (04/07/2023, 19:20) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
You go down to st,Thomas, stay away from that area in Hospital Ground call Jah Yard, Savan, Oswald Harris Court and Pearson Gardens Projects. You may walk in but there is no guarantee you are going to walk out alive. And they talking about making those houses on the hill section 8 projects, HELLLLLLLLL to the NO!!!!.
Puerto Rico (05/07/2023, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
i am deeply saddened by this news and by learning that our cops called to attend to that matter did not have their own protective gears. Regardless of who takes or tries to take the law into their hands, nothing or no one can bring him back. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. God needed him in his army. Let us pray.
Norris Turnbull (06/07/2023, 00:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Mental illness cannot be looked down on..... Just saying.

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Police officer shot & killed on St Thomas, USVI

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