Corporal Steven Duncombe, for many of his friends, was the kind of person you could call when you needed help.
When his colleague John Rolle reached out recently to ask Duncombe to escort his family to his nephew’s funeral on Saturday, September 5, 2026, he did not hesitate.
“I gat you bro,” Duncombe told him.
Rolle said in a social media post that he knew he could count on Duncombe. What he could never have imagined was that, less than two weeks later, he would be preparing to mourn the man who had promised to stand by his side.
“I can’t believe it,” Rolle said, remembering Duncombe as a brother and someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Steven Duncombe, a 37-year-old serving member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, died following a traffic accident in the area of Prince Charles Drive and Garden Road.
Duncombe’s police motorcycle collided with and a white Suzuki motor vehicle. Duncombe was found suffering from injuries, while the Suzuki’s female passenger also reported sustaining head injuries.
Despite medical efforts, Duncombe succumbed to his injuries shortly after 3 a.m. on Monday.
But beyond the circumstances of his death, those who knew him are remembering the life he lived and the impression he left.
To many, Duncombe was a serious and dedicated officer who took pride in his work as a police cyclist. To others, he was “Stevie,” “Luca” or simply a friend who could turn an ordinary moment into a memory.
Vana described him as “the people’s favourite rider” and “our favourite Facebook police officer.”
The Royal Bahamas Police Staff Association remembered his unwavering dedication to service, professionalism and commitment as a police cyclist, qualities it said reflected the very best of the Force.
Others spoke of his time serving in Harbour Island, describing him as one of the finest officers to work there.
Michael Clarke remembered a man who could make people laugh until they cried, even while dealing with his own challenges.
Clarke said their friendship was filled with teasing, arguments and jokes. They were, as he put it, “like Tom and Jerry”—but always with love underneath.
“Most times, I was funny but Stevie was funnier!” Clarke recalled.
He also remembered Duncombe as someone who supported his efforts without question and regularly offered encouragement.
“Bey Mike, don’t worry about that. Keep doing you,” Duncombe would tell him. That encouragement, Clarke said, was typical of the man he knew.
Clarke said their last conversation took place just days before the accident.
“The parties, outings, real-life conversations, check-ins… will be cherished forever,” Clarke said, describing Duncombe as “a true gentle giant and a kind soul.”
For Duncombe’s cousin, the loss remains almost impossible to process. After hearing the news, the cousin said they posted a message on his Facebook wall, only to delete it moments later because no one else had posted yet.
There was still a small hope that the information was wrong—that a call would come saying Duncombe had received a second chance.
“You broke a lot of hearts,” the cousin wrote, struggling to understand how Duncombe’s name could now appear alongside the words “rest in peace.”
Raven Hepburn shared a similar disbelief, remembering how loved ones had hoped Duncombe’s brief responses before his death were signs that he was fighting his way back.
“He fought,” she wrote, describing him as a fighter whose time had ended far too soon.
Kjay Worrell recalled the “Atlantis runner days” and said Duncombe had always been solid.
Member of Parliament for Seabreeze Leslia Brice described Duncombe as a stellar gentleman, a first-class officer and a man who performed his duties with excellence, always with a smile.
Duncombe was 2007 graduate of Nassau Christian Academy.