Remembering
the fallen
Three new names added to police and peace officers list
By Terry Jorden
Everything was ready. The speeches were written. The guests were invited. And
the program books were printed listing the 79 police and peace officers killed
in the line of duty since 1876.
But as people began to gather for the annual police and peace officer memorial day at the provincial legislature, word spread that another member had died.
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Sgt. Peter Kawalilak lays a wreath on behalf of the Alberta Federation of Police Associations. |
Two days before the September 29 ceremony, military police Cpl. Stephen Gibson was killed when a semi trailer truck rear-ended his vehicle near Suffield. It was the first day on the job for the 29-year-old who was escorting participants in CFB Suffield’s Terry Fox Run.
In the past year, two others have died in motor vehicle incidents. Strathcona County RCMP Const. Ghislain Maurice was killed while doing traffic enforcement this spring. RCMP Supt. Dennis Massey died last December when a gas tanker truck’s trailer came loose and hit his car.
“I am here to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of 79 – plus one -- police and peace officers who have died,” said Honourable Gene Zwozdesky representing Alberta Solicitor General.
Lesley Massey, wife of Dennis Massey, laid a wreath on behalf of all families and Sherwood Park RCMP Staff Sgt. Lee Findlay remembered the life of colleague Const. Maurice.
“Police officers will go where most fear to go, see what most fear to see and do what most fear to do,” said Sgt. Peter Kawalilak of the Alberta Federation of Police Associations.
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A parliamentary page assists Lesley Massey to lay a wreath on behalf of all families. |
Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole said: “All Canadians should remember that police and peace officers are our first line of defence against a whole host of evils, from the mundane to the monstrous.”
For the first time members of Alberta based military police participated in the ceremony.
The ceremony, held on the last Sunday of September every year, coincides with the national memorial day ceremony in Ottawa.
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The massed police pipe band. |
