Ralph Lindo first joined the Bermuda Police as a young Cadet in September 1969. On reaching the age of 19 he attended Basic Training Course #15 held from March - July 1972 after which he was posted to Central (Uniforn) in Hamilton.
The following year Ralph spent several months in the Murder Room before being transferred to Western (Uniform) in 1973. He had spells in CID, on Beach Squad, and in both Central (Uniform) and Western (Uniform) before moving to Operations (Traffic) in November 1975.
A year later Ralph moved to Motor Cyce Patrol Section (MCPS), a posting he relished, and he spent the next 8 years in MCPS.
After short stints in CID as an Aide and on the Task Force in 1984, Ralph was posted to Marine Section where he proved to be the ideal man for the job and was very highly thought of by all who worked with him.
In September 1987 Ralph was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and he remained a very efficient and popular member of the Marine Section until his retirement in 2007.
Senior Officers with members of the Marine Section - 1981Ralph had played football for the Police Recreation Club team and was a very sociable member of the Service.
Following his retirement Ralph operated a taxi and had an extensive list of clientele, including business people from abroad who would hire his services whenever they came to Bermuda.
Ralph with Reese Bartley and Vendal Bridgeman at ExPo Reception
Ralph continued his close association with the BPS and was a regular attendee at many of our ExPo social functions.
Sadly, Ralph passed away at the age of 70 on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, having been in failing health for some time.
His funeral was held at St. Anne’s Church, Southampton, on Wednesday 1st March 2023. The church was packed with former colleagues of Ralph’s during his many years in the Bermuda Police Service, together with his family and many friends.
Commissioner and Senior Officers give final salute to Ralph Lindo
Commissioner of Police, Darin Simons, gave an excellent Tribute to Ralph, and his comments provided a unique insight into the contribution Ralph made to the Bermuda Police Service from the time he first joined as a young Cadet in 1969, to his service as a police officer from 1972 until his final retirement in 2017.
Ralph Allen Lindo was born on 5 December 1952 to the late Agnes Olivia Lindo and Howard Edward Lindo Sr. of Middle Road, Southampton. He was one of four siblings; Elizabeth, Howard “Eddie” Jr., Robert, and the late Matthew Lindo.
He attended Port Royal Primary School and Dellwood Middle School. He partook in many sports and received many awards in athletics.
In September 1969 coming out of Dellwood he joined the Bermuda Police as a young Cadet at the age of 16. As a Cadet, he completed the Outward Bound Program and received the Royal Life Saving Award, also he attended the Outward Bound Mountain School at Ullswater, with achievements in Proficiency Skills and Merit in Practical Application of Skills. Also a Cadet, he sat on one of the 250 and 275 Honda Motorcycles and said, “I’m not old enough yet, but I can’t wait until I’m ready to go out on one of these superbikes.”
On reaching the age of 19 he attended Basic Training Course #15 held from March - July 1972 after which he was posted to Central (Uniforn) in Hamilton
The following year Ralph spent several months in the Murder Room before being transferred to Western (Uniform) in 1973. He had spells in CID, on Beach Squad, and in both Central (Uniform) and Western (Uniform) before moving to Operations (Traffic) in November 1975.
A year later Ralph moved to Motor Cyce Patrol Section (MCPS), a posting he relished, and he spent the next 8 years in MCPS. While he was on in Motor Cycle Section, his handle was “Mike 10.” His mentor was “Boxhead” Foggo and often times you would find them chasing people for speeding, those who resisted being pulled over you knew what happened next. He would chase people up and down steps, through the railway trail but rest assured he was going to catch them. Others that rode with Ralph were Tyrone Smith, Clive Brown, Philip Larson and numerous others.
At the age of 23, Ralph played football/soccer with the Police Recreation Club Soccer Section as a defender and did two tours with the Police.
In March 1977, he was involved in an accident which left him incapacitated after which he could no longer play football for the police team.
In September 1978 Ralph received last minute instructions from the Department of Tourism, Deputy Director, Lt. Col. J.A. Marsh for an assignment in the US to be a special feature at a convention of the Independent Jewelers organization in Philadelphia. The organizers asked for a uniformed Bermuda policeman as a local symbol to assist with information on the island.
In 1980 Ralph married Lynn A. Lindo (nee Smith) and of that marriage, their two sons Neil and Nicholas were born.
In March of 1984, PC Lindo and his partner, Steven Rollinson was first to arrive at a blazing apartment. PC Lindo and a householder plunged into the smoke, crawling through the apartment on their hands and knees using a flashlight to search for a 6 year old girl to see if she was still inside. Both emerged later suffering from smoke inhalation and it turned out that the little girl had not yet returned from school.
After short stints in CID as an Aide and on the Task Force in 1984, Ralph was posted to Marine Section where he proved to be the ideal man for the job and was very highly thought of by all who worked with him. He was very keen on water safety and as on motorcycles he was just as effective chasing speeding boats and jet-skis. He would be called to rescue distressed boats.
In September 1987 Ralph was awarded the Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and he remained a very efficient and popular member of the Marine Section until his retirement in 2007. He was active as a Reserve Police Officer, Badge # 1350 and was with the Reserves for approximately one year before being recalled to Marine Section to serve another five year until his final retirement in 2017. Before his retirement, Ralph promised his father that he would take him out on the police boat and he surely kept that promise.
He earned numerous training certifications and awards throughout his career in the Police Service.
Throughout his career, he did odds jobs such as security at Gibbons Company and photo ops for their guests & special functions at Southampton Princess with the assistance of the late Stuart Innes and Minton Gilbert.
In 1999, Ralph met Roslyn while he was working at Gibbons Company. He was very smitten by her and made sure that every morning he had her coffee and doughnuts ready for her when she arrived at work. From that point they started their journey together. They took frequent trips with family, working around their home i.e .painting, construction and odd jobs. In his way, Roslyn was his everything. Throughout their life together, Ralph would always talk about his sons and how he was proud of both of them and loved them very much. Roslyn would always encourage him to spend time with his sons.
In September 2013 Ralph and Roslyn, witnessed his eldest son, Neil getting married in a gorgeous destination wedding held in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was very proud of him then and ten years later, it was announced he was going to be a granddad in July 2022. He was so overjoyed with the news.
Following his retirement Ralph operated a taxi and had an extensive list of clientele, including business people from abroad who would hire his services whenever they came to Bermuda.
It can be said that PC Ralph Lindo was very instrumental with all those that he worked with, mentored and pushed up the ladder in the Bermuda Police Service. Surely, others that met his acquaintance over the years, even those who were not police, looked up to Ralph, and many have said if it wasn't for Ralph changing their lives, they wouldn't be where they are today. Given that, Ralph will be missed by all those that he has influenced.
Ralph continued his close association with the BPS and was a regular attendee at many of our ExPo social functions. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and former colleagues.
Ralph leaves behind his life partner of 22 years, Roslyn Miller; his sons: Neil (Caitlyn) & Nicholas; his step-daughters: Natasha & Adrian; and grand-daughter Ivy. Ralph is predeceased by his parents, the late Howard & Agnes Lindo and brother Matthew Lindo. He is survived by his sister: Elizabeth “Betsy”; brothers: Eddie (Sue) of England, and Robert (Mary); nephews: Dennis “Merts”, Derek, Edward and Andrew; nieces: Melissa and Kirsten; great-nieces: Kiara, Jomei, and Jaela; Dear and closest friends: Mark Botello, Paul Singh; those predeceased: “Boxhead Foggo”, Stuart Innes, and Tyrone Smith; The Bermuda Police Services: Traffic Division (Motorcycles), Reserves and Marine Section; and many acquaintances and friends to mention.”
Following is a list of Accolades & Recognitions recorded in Ralph’s personal Police file -
- 20 December 1975 - Ms. Helen Perry, a Paget woman, praised PC Lindo and PC Phillip Lupson, who bravely rushed into her burning house and carried her out before the flames had engulfed her. Both received commendations before in instances where their courage and concern stood above their personal safety.
- 11 November 1980 - Passed the Advanced Driving Course of Instruction at the Motor Driving School in Prospect.
- 5 October - 10 October 1981 - Emergency Response Team Course with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- 27 October 1987 - Colonial Police Long Service Award - 18 years Medal or 25/30 year clasp at Government House.
- 21 September 1988 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Certificate of Competency as Engine Driver of Motorboats – Diesel.
- 22 December 1988 - completed Coastal Navigation Course at Bermuda College.
- 21 April 1989 - Certificate of Recognition for Completion of Bermuda Search Planning Review Course.
- 22 June 1989 - Certificate of Training in Aircraft Fire and Rescue with the United States Air Force.
- 5 July 1989 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Certificate of Competency as Engine Driver of Motorboats – Gasoline.
- 1 February 1990 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Pilots License “C”
- 16 September 1991 - Marine Board Act 1962 - Pilots License “A” & “B”
- 18 December 1996 - Commendation for duties performed assisting the US Coast Guard during the Xing-da illegal Chinese migrant incident between 8 and 9 October 1996.
- 4 November 1999 - Presented with the 30 year clasp for his long service and good conduct medal.
- 23 March 2004 - Recognition at the request of Mr. Mark Selley for bravery awards for saving the life of Mr. Binns who had fallen overboard. With PC Lindo who was operating and positioning the boat so that PC McRonald could dive overboard and recover Mr. Binns.
- 13 July 2007 - Designated as an Inspector of Section 13 of the Historic Wrecks Act 2001.
Also providing fitting Tributes to Ralph were retired Superintendent Larry Smith, and The Rev. Fr. Jamaine “Jay” Tucker who had also served in the Bermuda Police Service.
The Pall Bearers were all close colleagues of Ralph’s during his time in the Police Marine Section - Mark Bothelo, Perry Fox, Reggie Horseman, Larry Dean, Joey McRonald, Ed Peach, Larry Fox, and Ian McMillan.
ExPo President Cal Smith, retired COP Michael DeSilva
Members of the MCPS provided a final Police escort for the funeral cortege from the AMIS Memorial Chapel in Warwick to St. Anne’s Church in Southampton.
Ralph will always be fondly remembered by all who served with him in the Bermuda Police Service, and especially those who worked alongside him in the Motor Cycle Patrol Section (MCPS) and in the Marine Section.