Officer was a 26-year veteran
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Cape Dorset (Mar 07/01) - RCMP Const. Jurgen Seewald started his career in the North.
It ended there Monday, when the 26-year veteran died after responding to a domestic dispute in Cape Dorset, a small coastal community 300 kilometres from Iqaluit.
 Jurgen Seewald |
The incident has made headlines around the country and shocked the community.
"I used to live next door to (Jaw)," Don Oliver said. "He was a quiet fellow ... I never saw any trouble from him before."
Seewald, 47, responded to the call at about 2 a.m. on March 5. Although details are sketchy, police confirmed Seewald struggled with a man and the officer was shot.
The only other RCMP officer in town was called shortly after and took Seewald to the health centre where he died. Before she arrived at the residence, the suspect fled but later returned to the house, barricading himself inside.
Police from Iqaluit weren't able to land in Cape Dorset until 6 a.m., due to fog at the airport. The 15 extra officers located the suspect in the home and a standoff ensued.
During the day, people remained indoors. The town virtually shut down during the stand-off. Residents said public radio announcements aired police requests for the suspect to give himself up.
The suspect surrendered to police at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Memorial planned
A memorial service for Seewald will be held in Iqaluit on March 8.
Government and police officials expressed condolences over Seewald's death.
"Our thoughts right now are with (Seewald's) family and the community of Cape Dorset," said V division chief superintendent Chris Bothe.
Seewald arrived in Dorset in September after serving many years in Nova Scotia.
He started his career in the NWT in 1975, serving in Hay River and Fort Liard, and told his parents before coming North that he wanted to finish his career in the North.
He immigrated to Canada from Germany as a child with his parents and an older brother. His wife and two children, ages 20 and 23, live in Nova Scotia.
