Walters

WESTERN BUREAU:

It was not the call the Reverend Courtney Walters expected to receive after leaving his wife at the hospital, but his country needed him. He responded and now the United States has recognised his bravery.

Walters, who has served 12 years as the Jamaica Constabulary Force Area One Police chaplain, was called to defuse a hostage situation at the Sangster International Airport in April involving CANJet flight 918 and 21-year-old Stephen Fray.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), through the United States Department of Justice, in July awarded the police chaplain with a citation commending him on his successful resolution of the hostage crisis.

Immeasurable help

The citation, which was signed by FBI Director Robert Mueller III, reads: "In recognition of outstanding assistance to the FBI in connection with its investigative efforts. Your performance was of immeasurable help to our representatives.

"I share their gratitude for your support, which assisted them in carrying out their responsibilities. You can take pride in the role you played in the success achieved and my associates and I congratulate you on a job well done."

It is an overwhelming achievement for the calm, soft-spoken superintendent of police.

"I received hostage training when Jamaica was going to host Cricket World Cup but it never became necessary to utilise my training because there weren't any incidents until this young man tried to hijack the Canadian airline," Walters said. He added: "I had just got home from dropping my wife at the hospital. (I) was about to get comfortable to read The Gleaner when I got the call that I needed to be at the airport because it's an emergency. 'Someone has taken over an airline and is holding the passengers as hostages'."

Walters said his only concern when he began to negotiate with Fray was to ensure that the situation was defused "as quickly as possible" with no harm to the hostages.

sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com