Jan. 5, 2005 – Veteran Police Officer Cpl. Joseph A. Bess died on Tuesday after a sudden, brief illness. Bess, 50, was a 27-year veteran of the Virgin Islands Police Department.
Throughout his career he was assigned to the Patrol Division at the Wilbur Francis Command the Investigation Bureau and the Traffic Division. Bess was also involved in police labor relations as a past vice president for the Police Benevolent Association.
Territorial Chief Novell Francis called Bess an "unsung hero of the Virgin Islands Police Department" and a "role model to younger officers."
Bess is survived by his wife, Marie Bernadette Colbourne-Bess; mother, Theresa Hendricks Bess; daughters, Karen, Kerry and Chyrise Bess; sons, Karl, Joseph III, Dion, Sean and Darrin Bess; grandson, Jahmai Paul; adopted son, Dean Ritter Jr.; sisters, Yvonne, Delita and Corrine Bess, Shirleen Bess Banwaree, Laurel Aska Prescott, Lorraine and Laura Bess and Lavern Bess Hernandez; brothers, Mario Hendricks, Ernest and Elroy Bess, Lionel Bess, David Bess Sr., Dion Aska and Louis Bess; aunts, Ricalda Williams, Juanita Hendricks, Mary Hendricks, Doris Bonelli, Joyce Parrish, Anita Bess, Christalia Bess and Mildred Bess; uncles, Roy, Kevin and Cleve Hendricks and Ernest Bess; mother-in-law, Raphaela Richards; father-in-law, Charles Richards; and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
His body will lie in state at Government House from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday. Funeral services will take place at noon, with a viewing at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Burial will be at Kingshill Cemetery in the Police Section. Professional arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home.