Community, RCMP honour Moncton three

By MIKE YOUDS

Just a couple of years after a Wall of Honour was installed in front of the RCMP detachment to commemorate three fallen officers, the community returned Tuesday to honour three more killed in the line of duty.

Mayor Peter Milobar wasn’t the first to draw a parallel between the events of a week ago in Moncton, NB, and the fatal shooting of three officers by a deranged gunman in Peterson Creek in 1962.

“You never know when that call will lead to a tragedy like this,” Milobar said as a crowd of more than 250 people lined the street in front of the Battle Street detachment.

An honour guard of RCMP officers in red serge and service blue marched up Sixth Avenue, joined in uniform by Kamloops Fire and Rescue as well as City bylaw officers.

Staff Sgt. Mike Savage said the slain Moncton officers — Constables Fabrice Gevaudan, Dave Ross and Douglas Larche — made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“Earlier today, we laid to rest three of our comrades,” Savage said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families today and our hearts go out to our comrades in Moncton so deeply affected by this tragedy.”

Supt. Brad Mueller said the public may wonder what possesses officers to place themselves in grave danger.

“The answer is simple: Because of who we are and what we do as RCMP officers,” he said. “The tragic events of 52 years ago in Peterson Creek reminded us of the officers in Moncton.”

As a CO, he asked himself how he would respond within the detachment to yet another fatal shooting involving RCMP officers.

“What’s important is that it makes us understand the importance of standing arm in arm as comrades.”

They will honour the Moncton three by continuing their work and conducting themselves in a manner that allows them to stand shoulder to shoulder.

“Your memory will remain with us. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. We are honoured to have served with you,” Mueller said.

Along with thousands of other officers, Const. Peter Froyland of the Kamloops detachment attended the funeral ceremony in Moncton on Tuesday. Froyland had served as a troop mate of one of the fallen officers when they were in police training. Const. Joe Moreau, a detachment dog handler who marched in the parade with his dog, also served with one of the officers killed.

Danny, the RCMP dog of Const. Dave Ross, whimpered as though in mourning at the Moncton funeral.

Officers at Tuesday’s ceremony in Kamloops said their thoughts in the face of the tragedy were with their comrades on the opposite side of the country as well as their fellow officers at home.

“You can’t prepare for things like this,” Savage said after the Kamloops ceremony. “It’s an unfortunate hazard of the job.”

Cori Thompson and her four-year-old son, Jesse, were among those who filed past the Wall of Honour to pay their respects. Thompson’s husband is new to the RCMP auxiliary.

“He’s been with search and rescue for years and years, but it’s a different equation now,” Thompson said.