Today I watched the national memorial service for the four Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who were killed this past week near Edmonton Alberta. Const. Peter Schiemann, 25; Const. Anthony Gordon, 28; Const. Lionide (Leo) Johnston, 34; and Const. Brock Myrol, 29 were shot by a deranged man while investigating stolen car parts and a marijuana grow operation. The rifle used in the killings may have been modified for automatic use. There is nothing sadder than seeing a police or fire department funeral. The Prime Minister, Governor General, Premier, families and comrades spoke eloquently of the four slain men. Officers in their dress uniforms attend from departments around the world in a show of solidarity and comradary that is huge in these professions. My grandfather was an RCMP officer (not to mention a fire chief) as well as my step-father a fireman. The support from each other and their families is absolutely unwavering, especially in times of sorrow. Police officers and fireman routinely risk their lives each and every day to keep us safe and sometimes I feel it goes unrecognized until we lose some of them in a tragedy like this past week's. Many people despise police officers for ticketing them speeding or busting them doing something stupid but they are the first people they call when THEY are in need of help. Please give these people the respect they deserve and even some gratitude every day you see them. The job can be tough on them and their families and sometimes and ultimately can cost them their lives in the line of duty.
Profiles of the officers who were killed:
Cst. Peter Christopher SCHIEMANN, 25, was born at Petrolia, Ontario, and joined the Force at Stony Plain, Alberta. Upon completion of training at "Depot" in Regina, Saskatchewan, on November 27, 2000, Cst. Schiemann was posted to "K" Division, Alberta, namely at Mayerthorpe Detachment, where he worked in General Policing and Highway Patrol.
Cst. Lionide Nicholas JOHNSTON, 32, joined the Force at Lac La Biche, Alberta, where he was born, and graduated from "Depot" in Regina, Saskatchewan, on April 17, 2001. Cst. Johnston was posted to "K" Division, Alberta, namely at Mayerthorpe Detachment, where he worked in First Nations Policing and General Policing.
Cst. Anthony Fitzgerald Orion GORDON, 28, was born at Edmonton, Alberta, and joined the Force at Red Deer, Alberta. Upon completion of training at "Depot" in Regina, Saskatchewan, on October 15, 2002, Cst. Gordon was posted to "K" Division, Alberta, namely at Whitecourt Town Detachment, where he worked in General Policing and Highway Patrol.
Cst. Brock Warren MYROL, 29, was born at Outlook, Saskatchewan, and joined the Force at Red Deer, Alberta. Upon completion of training at "Depot" in Regina, Saskatchewan, on February 7, 2005, Cst. Myrol was posted to "K" Division, Alberta, namely at Mayerthorpe Detachment, where he worked in General Policing.