Feelings have been uncooked as a whole bunch gathered on the B.C. Legislature Sunday afternoon to honour the law enforcement officials who have been killed within the line of obligation.
The grim actuality of the dangers officers tackle each day was made particularly clear when a Ridge Meadows RCMP officer was killed on the job simply two days earlier than the annual BC Regulation Enforcement Memorial.
“At the moment, as , is especially tough, heartbreaking already understanding that at subsequent 12 months’s memorial we will likely be including one other identify: Const. Rick O’Brien, murdered senselessly on Friday,” stated Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, the commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP.
O’Brien and two different officers have been in Coquitlam executing a search warrant as a part of a drug investigation in Maple Ridge. The 2 officers have been wounded and have since been launched from hospital.
Nicholas Bellemare, 25, is now going through a first-degree homicide cost and a cost of tried homicide with a firearm.
“The RCMP is hurting immediately. We’re grieving the lack of two of our members in the midst of a 12 months.”
Final October, Const. Shaelyn Yang was stabbed to loss of life whereas making an attempt to avoid wasting a person in a tent in a Burnaby park.
“We acknowledge those that gave their lives to guard all of ours,” stated Public Security Minister and Solicitor Normal Mike Farnworth. “At the moment’s memorial reminds us of all of the dangers and challenges all our enforcement officers face defending their communities.”
Audio system on the memorial remind attendees that officers are greater than their uniforms.
“They’re fathers, moms, daughters and sons. They’re neighborhood coaches, mentors, neighbours and associates,” stated Doug Forsdick, provincial director of grownup custody division with BC Corrections. “They depart behind households united by grief that few of us will ever have the ability to perceive.”
Over the previous 12 months, 13 regulation enforcement officers have made the last word sacrifice within the nation. Their names have been added to an honour roll.
“Your distinctive turnout immediately clearly demonstrates your particular person and collective dedication to making sure the companies and sacrifices of our fallen officers won’t ever be forgotten. For a hero remembered by no means dies,” stated Deputy Chief Const. Robert Warren with the Saanich Police Division.
Whereas Const. O’Brien was on everybody’s thoughts in Victoria and on the nationwide memorial in Ottawa, his identify will formally be added to the honour roll subsequent 12 months.