HAY RIVER - Residents in Hay River came together to remember RCMP Const. Christopher Worden last Tuesday night, two years after he was shot and killed while on duty.

Liz Kallak wiped away tears when she described how RCMP Const. Christopher Worden's death affected her, even though she didn't know him personally. - Elizabeth McMillan/NNSL photo

More than 50 people gathered as the first sub-zero wind of the season whipped through Hay River.

Meeting at city hall, people handed out candles and spoke in hushed tones.

The vigil proceeded to the RCMP station, where event organizer Kevin Wallington said a prayer and encouraged people to share memories of Worden.

"I wish I’d gotten to know him better," he said.

"It still hurts," said Liz Kallak, before she left the vigil. "My heart really went out to him and his family even though I didn’t know him personally."

Holding a red rose and a candle, she said Worden’s death affected everyone in Hay River.

"I’ve had violence in my life and I know what that is like," she said, wiping away tears.

"There’s been a lot of emotion in this in the last two years. Our community was completely thrust into the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons," Wallington said in an interview after the brief ceremony. "We lost a close friend. There were a lot of people who were really close to Chris. He really invested himself in this community."

Wallington said Worden’s death raised issues around drugs in Hay River and has led to improved youth programs.

"People’s perception of the need to invest in our community and acknowledge there are issues we have and there are things we need to deal with (has changed). We can’t bury our heads in the sand," he said.

Worden was 30 when he was shot four times outside an apartment building in Hay River in the early morning hours of Oct. 6, 2007. Worden was in pursuit of a suspect when the shooting occurred.

His widow, Jodie, and their daughter Alexis no longer live in the town.

Emrah Bulatci of Alberta is facing a charge of first degree murder. Jury selection for his trial is underway in Yellowknife.