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Emotional scenes unfolded at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas on Wednesday, as the family of the late Detective Delberth Phipps Jr., a V.I. Police officer who tragically lost his life while responding to an emergency report, received the United States Honor Flag in his memory.
A delegation of U.S. Virgin Islands officials, led by Governor Albert Bryan, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, and Senate President Novelle E. Francis, were present to support the grieving family during this solemn occasion.
The Honor Flag arrived on United Airlines Flight #1443, which was honored with a traditional water salute upon its arrival shortly after noon. This ceremonial salute, performed by fire trucks spraying arcs of water over arriving planes, is a poignant way to honor fallen heroes, symbolizing the final washdown after a completed mission.
Images from Wednesday's event document the profound emotion and respect evident at the airport. In one particularly touching moment, Delberth Phipps Sr., the father of Detective Phipps Jr., was handed the U.S. Honor Flag.
The U.S. Honor Flag serves as a national traveling memorial honoring fallen heroes who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In this case, the flag will be used to drape the coffin of Detective Phipps Jr. during events scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
V.I. Police Commissioner Ray Martinez accepted the Honor Flag during the ceremony, further signifying the department's mourning and respect for Detective Phipps Jr.'s service and sacrifice.
The passing of Detective Delberth Phipps Jr. is a profound loss for the Virgin Islands community. The ceremony signified not only a farewell to a fallen hero but also stands as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who serve and protect their communities.
