The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc. Saturday night honored three outstanding nationals and a corporate entity during its annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn-based group presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Vincentian centenarian Mitchinson “Mitchie” Maurice James; its Diamond Award to former detective corporal in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) Orton Guy; its Corporate Citizens Award to Square Deal Shippers and Movers; and its Special Recognition Award to Caribbean Life’s Dr. Nelson A. King.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc. also recognized recently-retired RSVGPF superintendent Ruth Hazel Ann Jacobs with a bouquet of flowers.
The group’s secretary Philip Richards received the president, Ardon Tannis, “Surprise Award.”
Guy, a foundation member and trustee of the group, said the association has “gone through different stages, as all organizations go through, but we’re still standing after 38 years.
“I want to say thanks to the association,” he said. “This award, I humbly receive it.”
Sylvan Dick, who received the award on behalf of Ruby Wood, the owner and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn-based Square Deal Shippers and Movers, said: “It’s an honor to know how much her work is appreciated.”
As a police officer, Guy worked in various stations, divisions and departments, including the Criminal Investigation Department. He was one of the original officers of the Narcotic Squad. He attained the rank of Detective Corporal.
Guy migrated to the United States in 1975, and retired from New York City’s Bureau of Waste Water Treatment as a Stationary Engineer Electric.
Like Guy, Wood migrated to the US in 1975, joining her husband, the late Egerton “Creech” Wood.
Six year later, she and her husband established Square Deal Shippers and Movers, Inc.
Ms. Wood said their goal was to offer first-class shipping services to the Caribbean and the rest of the world.
She said she has made it her mission to give back to the communities that have meant so much to her.
Ms. Wood is active in the Caribbean Diaspora community, and has used the success of Square Deal Shippers and Movers to “spread kindness and prosperity.”
She has made considerable donations to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and the Red Cross.
Ms. Wood said she has supported schools for children with special needs, and athletic and educational programs for young people, among others.
In addition, she said she has provided food for the homeless and underprivileged school children, and acquired and distributed books, computers, medical supplies and building materials for hospitals and correctional facilities.
Ms. Wood said her life is evidence that “a candle loses nothing if it is used to light another.”
Jacobs, who enlisted in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force on Jan. 5, 1983, served as a prosecutor at the Serious Offenders Court for several years and as a Family Court prosecutor for seven years.
Jacobs was the first female police officer to head the Criminal Investigation Department and the second female to attain the rank of Superintendent.
After 35 years, Jacobs officially retired from the RSVGPF on March 3, 2018.
James is featured in a separate story.
