An outpouring of support from people in Red Deer has touched the hearts of local Mounties grappling with the violent deaths of three members in Moncton on June 4.
“In times of tragedy, we are reminded of the vast capacity for goodness in our fellow citizens,” Insp. Scott Tod, commanding officer of the Red Deer City RCMP, said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a memorial service was held in Moncton for the three slain officers: Constables Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, Dave Joseph Ross and Douglas James Larche.
Red Deerians showed their support in many ways, said Cpl. Sarah Knelsen, a media liaison officer for the RCMP in Red Deer.
People placed bundles of flowers outside the detachment, they sent messages and emails and they delivered doughnuts and baked goods.
They also joined plainclothes officers and support staff, who wore red clothing on Tuesday in a show of support.
“Absolutely it had meaning. It’s very nice to see that people do support the RCMP,” said Knelsen.
“My children wore red yesterday, as well as several children at their school and other schools that I did see were wearing red. It shows respect and it shows that people in the community care and that people in the community are standing behind the RCMP in this difficult time,” she said.
At least two members from Red Deer attended the service in Moncton, and some local members wore their ceremonial red serge uniforms, also as a show of support. They included Const. Stephen Molnar of Innisfail Freeway, who wore his ceremonial uniform to testify in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Tuesday morning.
“It does hit close to home for every single member in Canada and for every single member of the Red Deer detachment,” said Knelsen.
Messages of condolence can be emailed to condolences_condoleances@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Donations to the Moncton Fallen RCMP Members Fund can be made online at www.rcmp.gc.ca/mem/fund-fonds-eng.htm or donors may send cheques to the RCMP Foundation, 203-2460 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, ON K1B 4S5. Cheques should be made out to The RCMP Foundation, stating Moncton Fallen RCMP Members Fund on the memo line.
bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com