Those who lost their lives in the line of duty were remembered during the annual Police and Peace Officers鈥� National Memorial Day at the RCMP 鈥楪鈥� Division cenotaph in Yellowknife Sunday.
In its 47th year nation-wide, the ceremony is a way to recognize and pay tribute to the officers who died in service.
鈥淭he celebration itself is for police officers and peace officers, including Bylaw and Corrections, DFO - Fisheries and Oceans, and Parks Canada, who are designated as peace officers,鈥� Insp. Yannick Hamel of 鈥楪鈥� Division said of the memorial that occurs on the last Sunday of September each year.
This year, officers laid a wreath in remembrance of Const. Rick O鈥橞rien, who was killed on the job in Coquitlam, B.C. while performing his duties last September.
Community support
Dyson Smith, commanding officer of 鈥楪鈥� Division, said the event was a way to pay special tribute and honour to police and peace officers who have given their lives in the service of Canadians and public safety.
鈥淏y holding the ceremony here in the North, we offer our members, families, and our community an opportunity to participate in this day that is so important to all of us,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淪adly, each year, new names are carved into the Wall of Honour found in Parliament Hill. As of today, the names of over 896 fallen police and peace officers are engraved on the National Honour Roll on Parliament Hill.鈥�
Smith said as well as O鈥橞rien, they will also be adding the names of five historical officers to the wall this year:
Cst. John Ringwood (1877) from the Newfoundland Constabulary; Lieut. Edwin G. Sturrock (1943) C.F. Military Police Group; Cpl. Kencel L. Milton, (1943) C.F. Military Police Group; Forest Officer Jacob Hasse, (1951) Alberta Department of Lands and Forest; and Lance Cpl. Serephin Hartman, (1965) C.F. Military Police Group will have their names added to the monument, located at the northwest corner of Parliament Hill overlooking the Ottawa River.
鈥淭oday, police and peace officers here in the Northwest Territories and across the nation risk their own safety to provide safer homes and safer communities for others,鈥� Smith said in his public address.
Often at times they face criticism, and sometimes their actions go unnoticed, yet they continue to carry on their duties, quietly, willingly, and with great pride, strength, and dignity,鈥� he said.
Smith told of when he recently attended the RCMP Depot Memorial as the new commanding officer.
Standing on the grounds 鈥渨here new recruits learn to become officers, and seeing the future faces of the organization saluting before the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty, was powerful and meaningful鈥�, he said.
鈥淎s I stand before our troop here today, I not only see them for the officers they are, but I see their partners and children standing with them. I would like to thank our brave families to go on supporting the work we do, in spite of the danger, and in spite of the unknown every day.
鈥淗ere in the North, we are surrounded by people who are warm, welcoming, and who value tradition and truly want the best for their community and the people.
鈥淲e strive to become part of those communities and we feel their support as they welcome us to cultural and community events,鈥� he said.
Smith told the officers in attendance to 鈥渘ever forget the names that regrettably fill the Wall of Honour.鈥�
鈥淭hey have gone before us to break trail and carve the path that we follow today," he said. "We must always honour their contribution. Let us learn from our past and make every effort to ensure that no more join them.
鈥淏e diligent in your training. Be meticulous in your preparation, be aware of your surroundings and take nothing for granted. Above all, continue to be courageous in your actions and devote yourselves as you always have, looking out for each other and looking out for those who serve.鈥�
