“The Good Lord Needed a PR Officer”; We Say Farewell to ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

Last night, we told you about the untimely passing of A.S.P. Fitzroy Yearwood. As we reported, Yearwood passed away after suffering a massive stroke over the weekend which left him hospitalized and unresponsive. Many were hoping and praying for his full recovery, in spite of the negative prognosis, because he had faced a similar medical situation before which he overcame. But, that was not the case this time around and his death has left many reflecting on his life, including members of the Belize Police Department and the media. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Assistant Superintendent of Police Fitzroy Yearwood was the Communications Director at the Belize Police Department up until the time of his passing on Tuesday evening. ASP Yearwood suffered a massive stroke on Holy Saturday that left him hospitalized and unresponsive. Two days later, unfortunate news of his passing surfaced.  Tonight, he is being remembered for his stellar service and infectious personality.  We spoke with Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs.

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“ASP Fitzroy Yearwood was only forty seven years young. So, this came as a devastating, sudden loss for the police department and I am certain for his family and I want to extend my condolences to his wife and his children. Fitzroy was so many things to so many different people. Of course you all know him in his PR capacity. Likewise, the rest of the country knows Fitzroy from his nightly reports in the news, representing the Belize Police Department as a master communicator really.”

Over a decade ago, Yearwood was featured in an I Am Belize Profile, where he spoke about his battle with diabetes and pancreatitis which at the time landed him in the hospital in a critical condition. In the interview he recounted the near-death experience and his fear of not living to be at his children’s graduation ceremonies.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

“When the doctors told me that I might live and that this is the only procedures that could save my life; I had some difficulties accepting what was in front of me. This was that if I do I still might not live. And if I don’t do it I surely might not live. So, I had to deal with all and they began bring in like the Anglican priest and people to talk to. I began to prepare myself for what would have been the inevitable just in the event I wouldn’t come out. It was hard to think that I wouldn’t be able to see my children graduate from high school, primary school and even college; it is something that is just out of this world to describe. Going through this experience really changed me, because yes medical officers can do their best, try all sorts of procedures, but if the almighty is ready, no matter what they do for you they really can’t help you.”

Following his recovery, Yearwood left working in the field as a police officer to serve in the department’s press office. That is where he became the face of the Belize Police Department and a staple in the nightly news. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams spoke highly of Yearwood’s service to the country in his capacity as a communications director for the department.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“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. I know at times yes you have your differences like with another relationship; you had your differences at time. But, he was always one who is always willing to facilitate the media. Sometime I would see late at night when something happened, he would post in the media blog and brief you all. Sometimes I would call and say Fitzroy why would you brief the media so late at night. I said leave that for the morning. He said, boss I just want the media to know what is happening. But that was the type of person he was.”

Isani Cayetano, the News Director at Channel Five, encountered ASP Yearwood a little over a decade ago in a professional capacity. Since then, they have had numerous interactions both on a professional and personal level.

Isani Cayetano

Isani Cayetano, News Director, Channel 5

“When I look at perhaps our Monday morning meetings where we go over to the Raccoon Street Police Station, despite the fact that we would wait for an inordinate period of time, when Fitzroy comes around even if we were a bit ticked off for having waited that extended length of time, he brings a certain spirit to the room that you no longer feel ticked off, you are running a joke, he is always jovial and what have you. There is a picture that him and I took I would want to think towards the end of last year if I am not mistaken where it is ironic that we were both at a funeral for a mutual friend of ours. I reflect on that image, because despite the fact that we know of his medical history, one would not have thought that would have been the last picture him and I took in that particular gathering, celebrating the life of another friend of ours who had passed. So, I look at that and say life is really short when you look at it from that point of view”

Chester Williams

“We prayed but at the end of the day god took him home. Who are we to question him, he knows best. Perhaps the good lord needs a PR officers beside him to communicate with him, so we will see the good messages that will be coming from the lord through Fitzroy.”

Paul Lopez for News Five.