Philipsburg: --- Relatives of Alfred Churchill Marsdin will be celebrating his life at a Memorial Service today at the Roman Catholic Church on Front Street. The family of the late Churchill Marsden received preliminary confirmation from Police on Friday that Marsden indeed suffered in the fatal helicopter crash on October 21 2008. According to assistant police chief Richard Panneflek they received some preliminary results from Holland on Friday confirming that the tissues that was recovered at sea indeed belonged to Marsden who was on the ill-fated aircraft that when down at sea on its way to Saba to pick up a patient.Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek said the police will be at the service in support of the family but he did not say if the lost cop would be given any special service knowing he served in the Police Force of the Netherlands Antilles for more than 30 years.
The fallen officer was suspended a few months prior to his tragic death for illegally stamping passports of four prostitutes. Marsdin also appeared in court once as prosecutors charged him with forging of documents. However, the case was never fully tried and as such Marsden had no conviction to his name.
A memorial service was held at Toppers bar on October 28 for Marsden as well as the pilot Michael Huttenlocker. So far police did not say if they received any confirmation on Huttenlocker.
Police Spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard confirmed they received the results from the Dutch Forensics Institute (FNE) confirming that the tissues that were found belonged to Marsdin.
Acting Chief, Commissioner Richard PANNEFLEK, on behalf of the entire Nether lands Antilles Police Corps Organization is extending their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Mrs. Brigitte MARSDIN, children of Chief Inspector Alfred "Churchill" MARSDIN and other relatives on the occasion of the passing of their dear colleague.
"It has been some grueling weeks before they could say our final farewell and bring closure to this sad episode which came so unexpectedly." Panneflek said.
