Final Ride Home Ends in Tragedy for Police Officer

Early Monday morning, thirty-eight-year-old Police Constable Arcenio Cus was killed in a hit-and-run along the Philip Goldson Highway. He had just wrapped up his shift at the Ladyville Police Station and was heading home when he was struck by a vehicle between miles five and seven. The driver didn’t stop. Instead, he fled the scene, leaving Cus fatally injured. A well-known DJ and businessman, Khris Rosado, has turned himself in and is expected to face multiple charges. Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado says surveillance footage and other evidence are now in hand. He also breaks down what happens next in the investigation. Tanya Arceo has a full story.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

Thirty-eight-year-old Police Constable Arcenio Cus had just clocked out from his shift at the Ladyville Police Station and was heading back to Belize City on his motorcycle, when the unthinkable happened. Around 1:30 a.m., he was struck head-on by a black vehicle. The driver didn’t stop. Instead, they fled the scene, leaving Cus fatally injured. Now, a familiar face, DJ and businessman Khris Rosado, is in police custody and expected to face a string of charges. Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado has outlined the next steps in the investigation and what charges may follow.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“I know that in reference to the fatal of PC Cus I know the investigators have collected evidential matter including video footage and charges should be laid today. I do not want to discuss the details of the investigation so as not to prejudice the investigation. There’s a number of offenses that have been committed when the fatal accident occurred and our investigators are trying to gather as much evidence to lay all possible charges against the individual”

 

The department is mourning the loss of a respected officer with nearly twenty years of service.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“So sad we spoke to him a few days before because we were doing the tour there and he did mention to us that he’s had nineteen years as a police officer, he was a supervisor of one of the relief from what we were briefed by one of the commander, he was a hard working police officer, humble and he was looking forward for the next elevation in his rank and we were looking at that but its just so sad that he said  that the incident occurred and I want to give the condolences to the family because it not only affects all the family but also the colleagues, the police officers that worked with him.”

 

When asked whether the department was concerned about officers traveling long distances at night on motorcycles, the Commissioner noted that while support is provided, many officers choose motorcycles as their personal transport.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“While our police officers are most of them that work in Belize District are from other district the department has tried as best as possible to facilitate their mode of transportation, in some cases I know that some of our officers do travel on motorcycle but that is their chosen mode of transportation, and like any other Belizeans they rely on it.”

 

Tanya Arceo for News Five.