Cop in Gales Point commits suicide
Jose Pam
A police officer took his own life just before seven o’clock on Tuesday night. It happened at the Gales point police station where Jose Pam who is originally from Jalacte, Toledo was stationed. Pam was found dead in the kitchen area of the living quarters of the station. His wife Simeona Pam told News Five that the cop had returned home intoxicated and had complained of his job. She retired to tend to their two year old son and that’s when she heard the single shot. Duane Moody headed to the Gales Point where the community is reeling from the death of the cop.
ASP Mark Stevens, Deputy Officer Commanding, Dangriga Police
“Shortly thereafter seven last night, we were called out to the Gales Point Police Station where we observed the lifeless body of one of our colleague, PC Pam who at the time was the officer in charge of that station, the Gales Point Police Station. He was seen lying on his back in a large pool of blood apparently dead. So far our investigation has shown that he had apparently taken his own life.”
Duane Moody, Reporting
Officer 956, Police Constable Jose Pam, just after seven on Tuesday night took his life when he placed his licensed firearm registered to the department to the right side of the head and fired a single blast. He is the sixth officer in three months to be lost to the department. As the flag flies at half mast at the Dangriga Police station, colleagues mourn the death of one of their own.
Mark Stevens
ASP Mark Stevens
“It was one shot to the head. The weapon of choice happened to be his service revolver. It was recovered on the scene along with a slug on the floor.”
According to chair lady of the village, Katherine Dawson, as she was notified of the incident, she hurried over to the station to find a wounded Pam on the kitchen floor. Dawson says that according to Pam’s wife, he came home intoxicated and complained of being stressed just moments before a single shot rang out.
Katherine Dawson
Katherine Dawson, Chairlady, Gales Point (Manatee) Village
“When I reached, I find ih wife sitting in the sofa and I asked her what is the matter and she told me that her husband just shoot ihself. I ask her why? She tell me because her husband stressed out. Stressed out about what, I don’t kow because ih mi di cry.”
Duane Moody
“She said she was inside the bathroom when the shot went off.”
Katherine Dawson
“Yes bathing her son and when she run out, she find ih husband lying in the kitchen. She run to the neighbor and dah so the neighbor come and see ih husband on the ground.”
Pam started his career as a police officer in 2007.
ASP Mark Stevens
“Since December of 2007; he enlisted in December of 2007. This is his second tour of duty in Gales Point. Actually he asked to go back to that sub-station in last year. So he was granted that opportunity.”
Katherine Dawson
“Mister Pan dah mi wah good officer. No problem in the village; he and no one have problem. He passed through the village, left the station, go down into the village; evening to everybody, afternoon or morning. He noh have no problem.”
The body of Pam will be laid to rest on Sunday in his home village of Jalacte in the Toledo District. Duane Moody for News Five.
Pam’s licensed point thirty-eight revolver with five live rounds and one expended shell in the cylinder was recovered from the scene.
“Pam’s licensed point thirty-eight revolver with five live rounds and one expended shell in the cylinder was recovered from the scene.”
1. secure the scene and photograph.
2. do not contaminate gun while retrieving and handling.
3. place same in evidence bag.
4. swab wife’s hands, face, and clothing for gunpowder trace and try to eliminate her as a suspect.
5. check to see if bullet trajectory and bullet wound are consistent with self-inflicted gunshot.
6. check husband-wife relationship background including possible spousal abuse and extramarital affairs.
7. consider if wife would have a motive for eliminating husband.
8. cross reference with the Oscar Ayuso file for guidance.
9. Oh sh*t. too late for all of this. we’re all already cocksure he committed suicide.
One more thing, @livefreeordie: swab the hand of the deceased. If he fired the shot, there will be gunshot residue [GSR] on his hand.
Hopefully it’s not a crime, because there is a baby involved, too. Regardless, it is a terrible tragedy. In that case, was it the alcohol that depressed him out of control, or something else that might have been noticed by those around him?
I definitely think Belize is a fertile field for mental health practitioners, we have so little to offer to help our people cope with the various stresses and diseases that could affect any of us.
I heard elsewhere that the officer was breathing for more than an hour after the shot, but there was no way to transport him to a hospital — maybe it would have been fruitless, but it points up the need for our country to possess AT LEAST ONE helicopter or seaplane to save lives. Sadly, I despair of GOB EVER saving money to save lives.
Another dead cop and another great day for me.
I bet he was an abusive policeman who mistreated his citizens.
The abusive police of Belize should all commit suicide or be murdered by the gangs.
Without the corrupt police Belize would be a great place.
Just ask McAfee.
you guys watch too much TV.