MONTEGO BAY, St James — Tributes poured in Saturday for Montego Bay Deputy Mayor Dwight “Debo” Crawford following his sudden death, as colleagues, friends and constituents grappled with the loss of a committed public servant whose dedication to community and country left an indelible mark.

Crawford had a heart condition and appeared to have died in his sleep, according to Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Jason Russell, the deputy mayor’s friend for more than 30 years.

“He was non-responsive this morning. It seems as if he had a heart attack in his sleep. He was rushed to Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), but was DOA,” Russell told the Jamaica Observer Saturday morning, a slight tremor in his voice as he spoke of the man he has known since they were both teenagers.

“I don’t remember the exact illness, but he had a heart issue. He was on medication,” explained Russell, who said he was among those who took Crawford to CRH after he was found.

Hours earlier they had both been at the medical facility for the official opening of its refurbished Accident & Emergency unit and Crawford showed no visible signs of discomfort, just what Russell described as his typical “very contagious energy”.

At the time of his death, Crawford represented the Spring Garden Division in the constituency of St James West Central. A member of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, he was first elected to the St James Municipal Corporation in 2016 then re-elected in 2024. Later that year, he was elevated to the position of deputy mayor, a recognition of his years of service and contribution to the municipality.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon expressed profound sadness at the loss of his colleague who he described as “a true stalwart, a reliable deputy mayor, and a friend of everyone, regardless of where their political support lies”.

“I am truly saddened by his passing, which has left a very large void, not only in the political directorate of the council, but in the parish of St James, in the Spring Garden Division and the constituency of West Central. We have lost a true stalwart, a giant of a man and someone who gave service from the heart,” said Vernon in a release.

At the national level, tributes came from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness who described Crawford as “a truly magnanimous and benevolent son of Jamaica” whose passing was deeply felt.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie also expressed sorrow at Crawford’s passing.

“Jamaica has lost a dedicated son. Local government has lost a good and faithful servant. The Jamaica Labour Party has lost a tireless advocate for and implementer of a better life for our citizens through parochial government,” McKenzie said in a statement.

CRAWFORD…a truly magnanimous and benevolent son of Jamaica

There were also glowing tributes from Member of Parliament for St James West Central Marlene Malahoo Forte, and a number of Crawford’s colleagues within the St James Municipal Corporation. Among them was minority leader Councillor Michael Troupe, who represents the Granville Division.

“We may not agree on certain things, but he always spoke up for his division,” Troupe said of Crawford.

Beyond the council chambers, Crawford’s legacy was perhaps most evident in communities where he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of residents. He was particularly commended for his hands-on involvement in relief and recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which left communities, including Catherine Hall and Westgreen, inundated by floodwater in October 2025.

Crawford was actively involved in the clean-up efforts and, until recently, had been leading initiatives to clear drains in an effort to address the persistent flooding that follows heavy rainfall in sections of the two communities.

For many residents, his commitment went beyond holding public office. He was a familiar presence, someone they could turn to, and a representative who remained closely connected to the everyday struggles of the people he served.

Ryan Martin and Chanell Codner, a couple from Westgreen, said they had known Crawford since he began representing the division in 2016 and had collaborated with him on several community initiatives.

“It’s a great loss, he was more than a councillor, the deputy mayor, he was family because he is one of my son’s godfather, so he is very close to us,” said Martin.

The couple explained that their relationship with Crawford extended well beyond community work, describing a bond built on friendship, trust, and a shared desire to improve the lives of residents in Spring Garden and surrounding areas.

“We are still in disbelief, we have run so many projects with him. We were there when he founded Build Expo, and we have worked closely with him and the Mayor’s Charity Ball — so many different projects,” Codner said wistfully.

Crawford’s passing comes just over a year after his father, Ruel Crawford, died in September last year following a prolonged illness. Like his father, Crawford pursued a career in construction. Originally from Manchester, he relocated to St James where he built a life and established himself as a committed community advocate and public servant.

Crawford is survived by his wife Reninho, a 20-year-old son, and a daughter who is about 12 years old.