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HomeNewsArchivesOFFICER SHOT AT WENDY'S DIES IN PUERTO RICO

OFFICER SHOT AT WENDY'S DIES IN PUERTO RICO

April 26, 2004 – Police Officer Cuthbert Chapman, who was shot on April 17 in an attempted robbery at the Wendy's restaurant in Sunny Isle Shopping Center, died Monday in a Puerto Rico hospital. He was 43.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull in a release issued by Government House late in the afternoon expressed condolences "with a heavy and sorrowful heart" to the family, loved ones and fellow officers of the slain policeman.
"The death of any human being is cause for sorrow," Turnbull said. "However, when a law enforcement officer, who is sworn to protect us, is taken from us under the circumstance in the case of Officer Chapman, the grief is all the more extremely difficult to bear, and words are inadequate."
Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards, in a release from his office, said he was "profoundly moved by the passing of young Officer Chapman, whom I visited recently at the Juan Luis Hospital."
Noting that Chapman had seemed at that time to "be in great spirits and on the mend," Richards added: "I am shocked by his death."
According to a Police Department release, Chapman died at 10 a.m. "while receiving treatment."
Chapman, born on St. Kitts, joined the police force on June 15, 1992, the release said. He was assigned to the Wilbur Francis Command Bicycle Patrol Unit at the time of the shooting.
He had been moonlighting at the Wendy's where he was shot. (See "Officer shot in attempted Wendy's robbery".
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said Chapman "served honorably and with distinction during his tenure with the department."
Sgt. Thomas Hannah, police spokesman, said, "When I was told this morning I just sat numb."

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