Fallen Police Sargent 3541 Steven Duncombe Takes Final Ride

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Family, friends and officers from across the Royal Bahamas Police Force gathered to say a final goodbye to Sergeant 3541 Steven Duncombe.

The 37-year-old police cyclist died on September 14, two days after a traffic accident involving his police motorcycle and a white Suzuki near Prince Charles Drive and Garden Road.

Duncombe was on an escort assignment when he was injured. Prophetess Anne-Marie Glinton-Rolle was among the first on the scene and stayed by his side until help arrived.

Anne-Marie Glinton-Rolle – Witness

“I pat him on the chest and I say, ‘Steven,’ I say, ‘You’re gonna be fine.’ I say, ‘God is with you.’ But at first, when I walked over, I said, ‘Father, in the name of Jesus,’ I said, ‘God, I bring this young man to you.’ And He said… When I said, ‘Father, in the name of Jesus,’ He said, ‘Amen, amen, amen.’ That tells me that he is in a better place.”

Duncombe joined the police force at just 21 years old in 2011.

Over nearly 15 years, he served at Cable Beach, in Harbour Island, the Tourism Police Unit and finally the Traffic Division.

But those who knew him both before and during his policing career say the uniform never changed who he was.

Longtime friend Tori Swaby and fellow police cyclist PC #4074 Danny Wright remembered Duncombe as one of the best supervisors they ever had.

Tori Swaby – Childhood Friend

“I know many of us probably hurting inside, but I know within myself, because of his actions and the type of person he was, Steven is in a better place, smiling down on all of us. Same smile right there. Infectious smile.”

Danny Wright – Squadmate

“When you look at the kind of officer Duncan was, Duncan was a well-rounded officer and the best supervisor I ever had in this job.”

As a police cyclist, Duncombe was trusted with escorting the prime minister, diplomats and other dignitaries.

Acting National Security Minister Keith Bell revealed that less than a week before Duncombe’s death, he had escorted Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Keith Bell – Acting National Security Minister

“Those duties required judgment, discipline, timing, alertness and trust. An officer trusted with responsibilities of that kind must be someone others can depend on.”

Duncombe’s final posting was in the Traffic Division, where his call sign, Tango 34, became almost as familiar as the man himself.

And although he never got the chance to wear the rank, Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles revealed Duncombe had earned a promotion to sergeant effective July 1.

Shanta Knowles – Commissioner Of Police, RBPF

“The official announcement did not come until the second of October. Steven was no longer physically here to hear his name called. He did not have an opportunity to put on the rank. He did not get the opportunity to celebrate with his family or, knowing Steven, remind all of us repeatedly that he had been promoted. But hear me today, he earned it.”