When 31 year old Kevon Neptune made the decision to stop and offer help to an injured police officer on March 26th, it is likely he did not expect his simple act of selflessness would be publicly celebrated. 

On Wednesday morning, however, Neptune a driver from Couva, was honored by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, for essentially helping save the life of Constable Shane Smith.

PC Smith and a fellow police officer were proceeding west along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway on their motorcycles when he skidded on some gravel as they approached the Samaroo Roundabout, El Socorro. He was propelled into the air after losing control of his bike which hit a lamppost. He landed on a damaged railing which resulted in the immediate amputation of his left leg.

Mr. Neptune, who had observed the officers as he drove alongside them on the highway, saw what took place and immediately went to render assistance. He placed PC Smith in his vehicle and was escorted by police as he drove him to the Mount Hope Medical
Sciences Complex. Although PC Smith was immediately attended to and taken to the operating theatre, upon arrival, Mr. Neptune stayed by his side, until he was wheeled into the theatre.

At the honoring ceremony at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith presented Mr Neptune with a letter of commendation and plaque and praised him for his selfless act of kindness. “You have proven to be a hero and that is exactly what we need in our society. On behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, we applaud you and salute you and thank you for what you have done,” Griffith said. 

PC Smith also thanked Mr. Neptune for the role he played in getting him the necessary medical attention. 

But even as the occasion was a celebratory one, Commissioner Griffith lamented what he sees as the lack of support offered to the injured officer from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Welfare Association (TTPWA).

“And what I find very disturbing and the only negative of this is, that exactly what the officer said – this is where police officers are supposed to get involved. Who do you think should be the most involved to help this young man? The Trinidad and Tobago Welfare Association. But you know why they couldn’t come and meet with you? Because they’re busy doing press conferences. They are busy going to the Police Service Commission to complain about me. They’re busy going to media conferences to complain about who should get transferred. They’re upset about who’s getting their pay bought out,” Griffith said.