Retired Commandant of the Bermuda Reserve Police Eugene Vickers has died.

Mr Vickers died Saturday while being treated in hospital overseas.

“The Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Reserve Police have lost a highly respected colleague and friend,” said Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva. “Commandant Vickers was a strong man who loved his family and his Island. He was a shining example of philanthropy and a dedicated community servant. His 40 years as a reserve police officer and his endless involvement in community projects set a standard for leadership in Bermuda. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family as they cope with this very sad loss.”

Mr Vickers joined the Reserve Constabulary in 1964.

According to Police, he helped to lead the organisation through a series of modernisation change including a change in name to the Bermuda Reserve Police, a change in uniform to match their full-time colleagues and a change in training to facilitate wider deployment of Reserve Officers across a fuller spectrum of general police duties.

Said a Police spokesman: “Mr Vickers was appointed as the fifth Commandant of the BRP in September 1999, becoming the first born Bermudian to reach that rank. In 2001 he led the BRP in celebration of its 50th anniversary of establishment by Act of Parliament. In October 2002 Mr. Vickers proudly hosted the Reserve Police Commandants World Conference in Bermuda. He was a recipient of the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service and he retired after 40 years of service in October 2004. He was later awarded as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2011 for his lifetime dedication to community service in Bermuda.”

PLP leader Marc Bean extended “heartfelt condolences” to Mr Vickers’ family on the party’s behalf.

He described Mr Vickers as “a dedicated community servant [who] will be truly missed”.

“I am truly in shock at this news as I was supposed to meet with Mr Vickers last week,” said Mr Bean. “This news has certainly saddened me. I give my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”