Officer Eustace Charles, a VIPD Executive Security Unit member assigned to Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, was fatally ambushed as he left his St. Croix home for duty .
The Virgin Islands flag will be flown at half-staff at Government House and all public buildings and grounds across the territory from sunrise Monday, August 24, through sunset Thursday, August 27, in honor of Eustace Charles, the lead dignitary security officer whose public-service career included work with the V.I. Police Department and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. also proclaimed August 24 through 27 an “Observance of the Life of Eustace Charles.” Mr. Charles died July 26.
“Eustace served our Territory with quiet strength, professionalism and a deep sense of responsibility,” Governor Bryan said. “Those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him knew him not only as a dedicated public servant, but as a good man who cared deeply for his family, his colleagues and his community. Lowering our flag is a small but meaningful expression of the gratitude and respect of a Territory that mourns his loss.”
Mr. Charles began his public-service career in July 2018 when he joined VIPD as a police recruit. After graduating from the Police Academy in February 2019, he served as a police officer.
In November 2022, Mr. Charles joined the Bryan-Roach administration as a security officer and later moved into dignitary security. On February 6, 2024, he was promoted to lead dignitary security officer for Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, a position in which Government House said he continued to serve with vigilance, reliability and a commitment to the safety of those under his protection.
His death has been felt among his family and loved ones as well as colleagues throughout the Government of the Virgin Islands, VIPD and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
“Eustace’s service was about more than a uniform or a title. It was about answering the call to serve and carrying out that responsibility with dignity and commitment,” Governor Bryan said. “As we honor his life and service, I ask all Virgin Islanders to keep his family, loved ones and colleagues in their prayers and to join us in remembering a public servant who gave of himself in service to our Territory.”
Under the governor’s order, the Virgin Islands flag will remain at half-staff from sunrise Monday through sunset Thursday as a mark of respect for Mr. Charles’s life and service.
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