MONTEGO BAY, St James –

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States Department of Justice has recognised the Reverend Courtney Walters, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Area One Police Chaplain, for his role in diffusing the tensions associated with the hijacking of CANJET 918 at the Sangster International Airport here in April.

“Your co-operation 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,” said the FBI’s director, Robert S Mueller 111 in the citation acknowledging Walters.

Walters was called in to negotiate with 21-year-old Stephen Fray, who shocked the world on April 19 when he barged past the security at the Sangster International Airport and took over CANJET 918 which was destined for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The daring escapade – which his lawyers are now attributing to a failure on Fray’s part to appreciate what he was doing, or alternatively, that what he was doing was wrong – saw him holding some 159 passengers and crew hostage in a bid to be flown to Cuba. He released the passengers and two crew members within minutes and proceeded to hold eight crew members hostage for some four hours before he was disarmed and taken into custody.

During that time Walters was called in by Senior Superintendent Ferguson to help coax Fray out of the plan.

“You did a remarkable job, not only with the negotiation but by bringing a spirit of calm to the entire situation. The eyes of the world were on us and we have gotten a lot of kudos from around the world,” said Ferguson on Monday during the weekly devotional exercise at the Area One Headquarters at Sewell Avenue in Montego Bay.

For his part, Walters accepted the award on the behalf of all the ‘great men and women in the force’.

Fray is currently being tried in the Western Regional Gun

Court on a slew of charges including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, and breaches of the Civil Aviation Act.

He is due to return to court on September 14.