From Staff Reports
The family of slain USVI businessman Botham Shem Jean returned to Texas once again since his murder on September 6, 2018, at the hands of an off-duty police officer.
This time they shared the stage with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, civil rights Atty. Ben Crump, clergy members, community activists and others at the intersection of Belleview Street and the 1400 Block of South Lamar Street as the City of Dallas commemorated the renaming of the stretch of South Lamar Street between Interstate 30 and South-Central Expressway to Botham Jean Boulevard.
At the program on Saturday, it was an emotional occasion as just like at the trial for Amber Guyger, stories about what a wonderful person “Bo,” as he was called by many, was.
In addition to Mayor Johnson who has already proclaimed the day of Mr. Jean’s birthday, Sept. 29, as #BeLikeBo Day in honor of the Harding University graduate, on Monday, Rep. Carl O. Sherman (D-109), joined by legislators, and a diverse group of supporters, held a press conference at the State Capitol to bring light to his proposed legislation, Bo’s Law, which he said is meant to “codify and strengthen existing criminal justice laws and address the use of excessive and deadly force by those who are sworn to protect and serve all Americans.”
Jean, a native of Saint Lucia, moved to Dallas for a job after graduation and outside of his studies and work, the young professional dedicated himself to community service, often through his church. He was working as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at the time of his death.
“Botham Jean’s death was an unfathomable calamity, but his life embodied a spirit of service and kindness,” Mayor Johnson said. “By giving back to his community, he set an example that all Dallasites can live by. I encourage everyone to Be Like Bo on his birthday this year and let the legacy of his short, bright life transcend the tragedy of his death.”
Mr. Jean’s pastor, Minister Sammie L. Berry of Dallas West Church of Christ, echoed the mayor’s call.
“Botham’s voice was silenced too soon, but the day of service is a way for us to remember what he stood for: love, service, sharing, and giving,” Berry said. “Any act of service, large or small, is a way of honoring his life.”
Guyger, whose name made headlines following the shooting, trial and subsequent guilty verdict, has been serving a 10-year sentence and will be arguing before an appellate court the end of April.
