Gregory Grimes, a man who enforced the rules as both a police officer and a football referee, has died at the age of 55.

His passing early yesterday, which will be marked with a moment of silence at matches this weekend, came after a medical emergency on Wednesday in which several police colleagues came to his aid.

Along with achieving the rank of sergeant in the Bermuda Police Service, Sergeant Grimes was a former president of the Bermuda Referees Association

This year, Sergeant Grimes was awarded the Overseas Territories Police Medal in the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Senator Jeff Baron, the Minister of National Security, hailed him last night as a friend and early mentor in his police career as a detective, who would “live on through the legacy he left within the BPS”.

“Yesterday, a cherished member of the Bermuda police family put on his uniform to serve and protect the community he loved,” Mr Baron said. “Sadly, he never did start his shift. And early this morning, he left us.

“Sergeant Gregory Grimes personified our best, most decent instincts as people — to serve our neighbours, to help others despite the risks regardless of who they were, what they looked like or where they were from. He served Bermuda for many years and did so professionally, effectively and with his trademarked quiet confidence.”

Calling Sergeant Grimes “highly respected and admired”, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said he had “touched the hearts of so many of our officers and support staff”.

“He was regarded as an exemplary and compassionate supervisor who cared deeply about his colleagues, and he had a passion about policing and his community. We are all stunned by the loss of Greg and we have activated welfare and support services for any of our staff that might need them. On behalf of the officers and staff of the Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Reserve Police, I offer our sincere condolences to Greg’s family and friends who are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. He will be intensely missed.”

Sergeant Grimes joined the BPS as a cadet in August 1978, and was promoted to sergeant in April 1991. During his career he served in a variety of posts, ranging from uniform, CID, and Special Branch. Most recently he held the post of lead custody sergeant. A police spokesman said that Sergeant Grimes managed the custody facility at Hamilton Police Station, and had direct leadership of new police recruits and probationary constables.

“His professional commitment and high performance earned him the award of Officer of the Year twice in the last five years. Sergeant Grimes was also awarded the Overseas Territories police medal for meritorious service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year.

“Outside of policing, he served as a board member and former chair of the BFA as well as a Fifa referee. He was actively involved in all aspects of football in Bermuda for over 20 years, including youth football, coaching and refereeing. He has represented Bermuda internationally as part of the BFA’s delegations to matches held by the Caribbean Football Union and Concacaf.”

Walter Roban, the Shadow Minister of National Security, said the island had lost a “treasure”, and offered condolences on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party.

Mark Wade, president of the Bermuda Football Association, told The Royal Gazette that the loss had left the group with heavy hearts — calling Sergeant Grimes “a servant of the game”.

“Even though retired from our executive council, he continued to serve football on our referee committee, youth committee and as a match commissioner. His frequent visits to the BFA office to work on his days off to assist wherever he could will be sorely missed. Through our tears we take time to send condolences to his family and our friends in the Bermuda Police Service. We encourage everyone to remember the good times, the mentorship, the quiet guidance and the confident assurance his presence has brought us all.”