Police sacrifice remembered
RCMP host annual memorial day for officers
Simon Whitehouse
Northern News Services
Friday, October 2, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The first flakes of snow for the upcoming winter did not put a damper to the small gathering of about 70 people who marked the Canadian Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day on Sunday morning.
The Canadian Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day ceremony Sunday included a laying of a wreath at the RCMP memorial by G-Division RCMP Chief Supt. Ron Smith, front, and Sylvia Haener, deputy minister at the Department of Justice. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo |
Law enforcement officers, dignitaries, families and friends met at the RCMP headquarters to remember the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Insp. Colin White was a host speaker during the service which lasted less than an hour. White said there are 863 names on the honour roll which is made up of police and peace officers who have died on the job across the country dating back to Canada's founding.
RCMP Const. David Wynn, who died of a gunshot wound to the head Jan. 21 in St. Albert, Alta., was added this year. Other officers added were Edmonton police officer Const. Daniel Woodall, shot and killed in the line of duty June 8, Toni D. Kristinsson, a B.C. Commercial Transport Enforcement Officer killed Feb. 1 in a motor vehicle accident in Valemount, B.C., and Rhonda L. Commodore, a Manitoba corrections officer killed Nov. 6 of last year also in a motor vehicle accident 45 km south of The Pas, Man.
The service also recognized eight other police or peace officers from across the country who died up to a century ago.
White said the service was important in part because it highlighted how the RCMP impact the broader community with their daily roles.
"I think it isimportantfor members of the general public and serving police and peace officers to recognize the sacrificeour colleagues have made to keep our communities safe," White said.
"It is alsoa time for officers and their families - including me - to reflect on the fact that this is animportantserviceour police and peace officersdo for their communities and that itcarries real risks.In a way, theCanadian Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Dayisa way of saying 'thank-you.'"
In 1998, the Government of Canada proclaimed the last Sunday of September to be Police and Peace Officer National Memorial Day to remember those killed on the job, even though officers have held an annual day of recognition on Parliament Hill since 1978.
Other speakers during the day included RCMP Chief Supt. Ron Smith, commanding officer of G-division, and Sylvia Haener, deputy minister of justice. Both laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial and the event was marked with a two-minute period of silence.
"We know sacrifices are made to allow the men and women to serve to the best of their abilities," said Smith during his address. "Long hours on duty, late nights, early mornings, long shift schedules, many missed family events until the dreaded middle of the night call. These are felt not only by the members but also their families and their supporters. Fellow officers, your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed."
The event was wrapped up with a hearty gathering of officers and supporters at the RCMP mess.
