The deaths of three RCMP officers in Moncton last week have been felt across the country.
When the news broke Wednesday evening that three officers had been killed and two others injured, the nation held its breath.
And during the next 26 hours, while the police searched for 24-year-old suspect Justin Bourque, people hoped there would be no more deaths.
Once Bourque was arrested early Friday, details about Constables David Ross, Fabrice Georges Gevaudan and Douglas James Larche began to filter through media.
Larche, 40, was originally from Saint John, N.B. He leaves behind a wife and three daughters. Ross, 32, was from Victoriaville, Que. and leaves behind a pregnant wife and a 19-month-old son. Gevaudan, 45, was from Boulogne-Billancourt, France. He leaves behind a wife and young step-daughter.
In Williams Lake Tuesday, the RCMP led a parade from the detachment to city hall to honour the fallen constables.
Uniformed firefighters, search and rescue personnel, conservation officers and probation officers joined in the parade, as local Cpl. Mike Berns led the procession playing the bagpipes.
Inside city hall chambers people waited quietly before watching the regimental funeral televised live from Moncton.
Cariboo Bethel Church pastor Jeremy Vogt told the people gathered at the ceremony the work and lives of the fallen constables will not be forgotten. And the grieving of local officers is also on the minds of the community of Williams Lake, he said.
“You have a fraternity of brothers and sisters, not only in Canada, but around the world this morning who are with you heart and soul.”
Deaths of the innocent cause us to hold our families, friends and co-workers close.
- Williams Lake Tribune