Police sergeant Anthony Pierre.

Mr. Pierre was blasted in the head with a shotgun in Philadelphia on Monday.

Officers are now believed to be holding a 24-year-old man in connection with the murder, which was during a robbery at a convenience store where Mr. Pierre worked.

They have also confiscated a weapon, and expect the man to appear in court on Wednesday.

Police believe relatives of Mr. Pierre will attend the hearing. His widow is Bermudian Dr. Donna Pierre. Her mother Mrs. Julia Durham, of Crawl Hill, is believed to have flown to Philadelphia after the shooting.

They have been planning a funeral in Bermuda soon. Officer Ben Frazier, of Philadelphia Police, told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "Our homicide department is very good. We have some good news.

"A suspect was arrested last night in Anthony's murder, and charged with a whole laundry list of offences. The investigation led to the suspect, who was an associate of one of the workers in the store.'' Mr. Pierre, 37, was from Dominica. He served on the Bermuda force from 1979 to 1990, mainly in St. George's. He was studying law in the US and working part-time as manager of the store. He had been hoping to go to England to further his legal qualifications.

He was shot after being told to lie down behind the counter of the shop. The gunman had already been given the store's cash -- less than $200. Apart from murder, the suspect faces charges of robbery, having an instrument of crime and breaching weapons regulations. He was named as Amir Cartair, a resident of the area near the shop. On Wednesday, said Officer Frazier, a judge would examine the prosecution case to see if there was enough evidence to proceed.

Cartair would not have to plead guilty or innocent.

"But he will be in custody,'' said Officer Frazier. "We guarantee he's not going to be going anywhere.'' It is understood Mr. Pierre was last on the Island in September for a family wedding. Witnesses to the robbery told Police another store employee gave the robber the money from the till.

The gunman then walked behind the counter and told Mr. Pierre to lie on the floor, they said. Mr. Pierre was shot once, apparently dying instantly from a shattered spine. When Police got there they found Mr. Pierre lying behind the counter. The gunman was seen driving off in a Cadillac.

Mr. Anthony Pierre.