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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A former special constable for the RCMP has been honoured by the force for his service many decades ago.

Fort Smith's Archie Larocque, 95, was recognized Feb. 11 for his contributions to the force in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Fort Smith's Archie Larocque, left, receives a certificate from the RCMP in recognition of his service as a special constable in the 1930s and 1940s. Making the presentation is Chief Supt. Tom Middleton from G Division headquarters in Yellowknife. - photo courtesy of Del Gill

During that time, he helped police Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Snowdrift (now Lutsel K'e), Fort Reliance and the surrounding areas.

In a short address, Larocque said he enjoyed his years working for the RCMP and thanked the force for the recognition.

"It was such a special day," said Hay River's Dawna O'Brien, Larocque's daughter and one of about 20 family members who attended the ceremony.

Anne Gill, another of Larocque's daughters, said being a special constable was a very important part of her father's life.

Sgt. Grant Payne of the Fort Smith RCMP said, as far as the force knows, Larocque is the last living person who once moved Mounties around the NWT by dog team.

According to RCMP records, Larocque was a special constable from 1936 to 1944.

Payne said years ago there were no GPS or even maps of areas patrolled by the RCMP in the North, and the police relied on the knowledge of local people.

Special constables like Larocque were invaluable to the RCMP, because they spoke the languages and helped keep officers safe in a dangerous climate, the sergeant said. "Back then, it would have been a matter of life and death."

Payne said the RCMP still depends on local people with local knowledge.

The special constable program was phased out in the 1960s, and has been replaced by community constables and auxiliary constables.

At the Fort Smith ceremony, Larocque was presented with a certificate of Northern service, which the RCMP began presenting to all members in the North several years ago.

Chief Supt. Tom Middleton, commanding officer of the RCMP's G Division, along with other officers from Fort Smith and Yellowknife, were on hand for the ceremony.

After serving as a special constable, Larocque returned to his life as a trapper.

However, his family said Larocque remained a lifelong friend with Tommy Thompson, a regular member of the RCMP from the South.

The friendship lasted over the years even after Thompson returned south in the mid-1940s. They often visited each other until Thompson passed away.

"They had an amazing friendship," O'Brien said.

In fact, the family believes Larocque stopped being a special constable because Thompson left the North.

Larocque is still in relatively good health and is often seen around Fort Smith on his scooter.