by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 12, 2023
Communications Director for the Belize Police Department, ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, who is arguably one of the most popular police officers in the department and has been seen regularly at the beginning of the week on the TV screens of many households throughout the country as he updated the media and the public of police investigations into various crimes at the weekly police press briefing, has passed away after suffering a massive stroke during the Easter holidays.
ASP Yearwood began his career as a law enforcement officer in mid-1996, and worked his way up the ranks to his final position as the Police Department’s Communications Director. He served during the tenure of former Commissioner of Police (ComPol), Allen Whylie, as well as under the headship of the current Police Commissioner, Chester Williams.
On the morning of Easter Sunday, information spread like wildfire on social media that ASP Yearwood had been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after suffering a stroke, which caused severe damage to his brain. After being admitted, reports suggested that he was unresponsive to treatment and remained in that state until he passed away on Tuesday, April 11, at around 3:00 p.m.
A few hours before Yearwood’s death, ComPol Williams met with members of the national media to give an update on ASP Yearwood’s condition.
“Mr. Yearwood has been the face of the Police Department for the past three years, interacting with the media and doing the weekly press briefs, as well as doing other public relations matters as may be directed by myself or OCED for him to do … I know that he loves what he does as a press officer. He normally does it with a high degree of pride and passion, and so for him to be out at this time, saddens us and we just want to hope for the best going forward,” said ComPol Williams.
After hearing the news of his passing, Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Kareem Musa shared his sentiments on social media.
“You were a valiant, charismatic, and humble officer who always managed to bring a smile to your colleagues’ faces. From north to south, you will be forever missed,” he said.
The following day, ComPol Williams met with the national media once more and spoke regarding the passing of his dear friend and colleague.
“When I became the Commissioner of Police, I saw the need to have someone who can be a good intermediary between the police and the media, and I could not have thought of anyone better than Fitzroy. He had that charisma and that touch that the media loved about him … He truly took his job as the PR officer seriously, he did it with a passion,” ComPol Williams said.
And filling the void that ASP Yearwood left may be an almost impossible task, as ComPol Williams told the media. He said, however, that ACP Hilberto Romero will be serving as an interim public relations officer for the department until the vacant position is filled.
Before suffering from the stroke, ASP Yearwood was seen with his family at the end of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Classic and was reported to be in a jovial spirit.
He suffered from chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, which had caused him to be on the brink of death over a decade ago.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood served over 25 years in the Belize Police Department.
He was 47.