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Const. Michelle Sadee |
Steady drizzle didn't dampen
Police and Peace Officers'
Memorial Day
by Terry Jorden
RCMP Const. Michelle Sadee walked slowly across the wet Alberta Legislature grounds, saluted, and laid a wreath on behalf of the families of the 77 police and peace officers who have died in Alberta in the line of duty since 1876.
"Today is a great tribute," she said afterwards. "We have Family Day, Father's Day and Mother's Day. A lot of people don't pay attention in their busy lives, so it's nice to take a special day like this and set it aside."
Two years ago her husband Noel was killed and she was seriously injured in a car accident while returning from a court appearance.
It was an emotional ceremony for the several hundred police and peace officers and onlookers who gathered at the legislature.
The service included the Massed Pipes and Drums of Alberta, the police chorus and the parade of officers representing police members, corrections officers, Parks Canada officers, Sustainable Resource Development officers and others.
"It is with great sadness that we must add three new names to the list of fallen officers," said Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth. "My heart goes out to the family and friends of those members."
She was referring to Calgary Police Service Const. Darren Beatty who was killed in a training exercise, Parks Canada Park Warden Michael Wynn who died in an avalanche and RCMP Const. Christine Diotte who was killed while investigating a highway accident near Banff.
The fourth annual memorial day also included remarks from Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole, MLA Shiraz Shariff, Chief Superintendent Gord Button of RCMP "K" Division, Chief M.L. Chalmers of the Alberta Association of Police Chiefs and Sgt. Peter Kawalilak of the Alberta Federation of Police Associations.
