RSIPF farewells late Sergeant Patteson Pitatogae

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Honiara today farewelled their colleague officer the late Sergeant (Sgt) Patteson Pitatogae during a funeral service at Wesley United Church in Honiara on 29 July 2021.

Presenting the late Pitatogae eulogy during the funeral service, RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says, “I am humbled to stand here on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and all ranks and files of the RSIPF throughout Solomon Islands.”

Commissioner Mangau says, “I am lost for words to describe the sadness that engulfed us at the news of the passing away of one of our own. I would like to inform relatives and friends that we are immensely saddened at the unfortunate passing away of the late Sergeant Pitatogae.”

The late Pitatogae was born on 19 September 1970 at Papara village in Choiseul Province. He had served in the RSIPF for more than 29 years.

“Commissioner Mangau adds: “As an energetic young man, doing his apprenticeship with Police Maritime from 1987 to 1991 as an electrician. He saw the importance of policing and aspired to join RSIPF as Maritime electrician on 10 March 1992. On 15 April 1992 he was appointed as Police Constable and worked as a Police Maritime electrician.”
This year 2021, he did form part of the Police Maritime Team who sailed to Australia under bad weather conditions to decommission RSIPV AUKI and return with RSIPV Taro.

Mr Mangau says, “The untimely passing away of the late Sgt Pitatogae denied his long and satisfying career. Let me assure his relatives and friends this afternoon that the RSIPF salutes him and will continue to remember the legacy he has left behind, his positive contributions to the RSIPF to provide leadership in every police station he had served, especially in the Maritime department of the RSIPF and the entire country.”
Commissioner Mangau says, “We highly value the contributions of the late Sgt Pitatogae to the RSIPF and the people of Solomon Islands. The length of time he served in the RSIPF is not considered as a benchmark or yardstick for his contribution. But the fact to consider is that, this man sacrificed himself to serve the people of this country by enlisting into the RSIPF to protect life and property and to maintain law and order.”

“It is sad to note that his inopportune passing away caught him quickly and took his life. His passing away is not only a loss to you, the Wife, Children, relatives and communities of Kapika village of North Choiseul, but also a great loss to the RSIPF especially the Maritime Department.”

“I salute him for his service. He will be long remembered by members of the RSIPF, So long and farewell comrade. May your soul rest in eternal and blessed peace with the Lord,” says Commissioner Mangau.