Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

HAY RIVER - Jodie Worden sent an emotional message to students at a Hay River high school on Oct. 6 - the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of her Mountie husband, Const. Christopher Worden.

Jodie Worden, the widow of slain RCMP Const. Christopher Worden, sent a message to high school students in Hay River. - NNSL file photo

"It was one year ago today that the life I knew and loved was drastically altered due to the murder of my husband Chris," stated Jodie Worden's message.

"I know that some people find it difficult to refer to Chris' death in this way and would prefer to use phrases like 'passed on' or 'passed away'.

"His life was taken from him, from me, from (our daughter) Alexis and the rest of our family and friends prematurely and without our understanding as to why."

The students at Diamond Jenness secondary school - where Worden was a teacher before leaving Hay River - were holding an assembly to honour the memory of her husband.

Worden's words were read to the assembly by vice-principal Lynne Beck.

In her message, Worden said she asks herself why her husband died, but no answer comes.

"You can wrack your brain all you want, but the reasoning just isn't there," she wrote.

"I have done my best to try to continue and to promote the work and the message that Chris was trying to deliver when he lived and worked in Hay River. This is my way of providing some kind of understanding and to give myself an answer."

She told students that part of the answer may lie in their hands by making healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.

"I know that you each will make a decision that you think is right for you in that moment of time - when you are offered a joint or a beer," she wrote. "What I want you to remember is that Chris died as a result of the drug users in this community."

She asked the students to think about that when they are approached to purchase or use drugs.

"Abstaining is the healthiest option for you, and also serves as a way to continue to honour Chris' memory and to continue to provide me and Alexis with the answer to the question: 'Why did this happen?'"

Beck said Worden's message was very powerful for the students and staff at the school.

"The reaction was utter and complete silence," she said, adding, while there were about 340 people at the assembly, you could hear a pin drop.

Beck said many students and staff members were moved to tears by the deeply personal message.

Worden continued her message by telling the students she and her 20-month-old daughter Alexis left Hay River on June 30 after a preliminary inquiry into a first-degree murder charge against the man accused of killing her husband. Emrah Bulatci of Alberta is now in custody awaiting trial.

Worden and her daughter are living in Ottawa, close to her family and her late husband's relatives.

She said Alexis is keeping her busy by running everywhere and beginning to talk.

Worden has been offered a job in the RCMP's learning and development sector. There, she will be developing curriculum for leadership courses.

"I am excited about this as it will allow me to use my educational background, as well as remain a part of the RCMP family," she said.

Worden thanked the students and staff at Diamond Jenness for taking the time on Oct. 6 to remember her husband.

"I know that today is not only difficult for me, but for many of you, as well," she wrote.