We were deeply saddened to hear that our good friend and former colleague, retired Chief Inspector Derek Smith, passed away on Wednesday 1st April 2020, at his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, after a long illness.

Derek was born in Sheffield in September 1947, and prior to joining the Bermuda Police he served in the West Riding Constabulary from 1965-1966, and in the West Yorkshire Constabulary from 1966-1970. He arrived on Island in October 1970.

Derek was first posted to Central Division (Hamilton) for several months before being transferred to Eastern Division, (St. George’s) where he initially worked on the beat until he was appointed as Smith’s Parish Constable, a position he held until September 1976, at which time he transferred to “B” Department at Police Headquarters.

Derek was promoted to Sergeant in March 1978 while still in “B” Department (Stores) and in June 1979 he was put in charge of Travel Control at the Airport, a position he held until his promotion to Inspector in February 1983 at which time he returned to St. George’s as OIC for a short spell before moving back to ”B” Department (Finance).

Following another spell as OIC Eastern Division from 1984-1987 Derek moved back to Central Uniform. Derek received the Colonial Police Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct in 1984. He married his second wife, Josephine, in July 1996, and was promoted to Chief Inspector in October of the same year. Derek continued to serve as Chief Inspector before retiring from the Bermuda Police in September 2002.

Throughout his career Derek was always a most efficient police officer who was quietly spoken but gained the respect of those who worked with him and under him.

In 2004 he and Josephine moved to the U.K. where they settled in Chesterfield with their daughter, Crystal.

We send our sincere condolences to Derek’s wife, Josephine, his step-daughter Crystal Howell and her husband Phil, step-son Eugene Burgess, his son Michael Murdoch-Smith and Michael’s wife Alison, here in Bermuda, and to Derek’s grandchildren Dorian, Charlotte and Emily.

We have heard that Derek will be cremated and a small private service will be held on 20th April at which only a small number of people can be allowed to attend, but Derek’s family is planning to hold a function to celebrate his life at a date when such a gathering can be held, and will provide us with details as and when it can be arranged.