Heros Lost!!

[JGallagher]

Today we have lost heros in our community. Let us remember them.

CBC News

MAYERTHORPE, ALTA. - Four RCMP officers died Thursday when a man with a high-powered rifle began shooting during an investigation into a marijuana grow operation in northwestern Alberta.

"It's my sad duty to inform you that four RCMP officers, four brave young members have been killed in the line of duty," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bill Sweeney told reporters at a late-afternoon news briefing.


Source: cbc.ca (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/03/rcmpalert050303.html)

[FFWannabe]

My heart goes out to the families.... God be with those four young men. JG, if you hear any more about this, please pass it along.

Sue :(

[DFCSmash]

A tragic tale. 4 lives cut short because of the actions of the criminal element. Was listening to reports of this all afternoon.

For what it's worth I hope that one of the slain officers was the one that did in the shooter.

My deepest condolences to any and all connected with this tragedy.

Yeah, I know it's 5 lives, but IMO only 4 of them were tragic losses.

[FireEMTGuy]

Yes a tragic loss. It comes barely a year after another officer was slain in the Edmonton area during a standoff.

Rest in peace.

[JoJobrat]

My heart, tears and prayers go out to the families and friends of those brave men. My thanks comes as well for helping to make the world a safer place for all.

JoJo

[bestcoast]

Terrible news, I have many friend's in the police service and have a tremendous amount of respect for the job they do. My condolences to the families and to the policing community.....:( :( ...BC...

[Jon1]

That is really sad. My thoughts and prayers to the familiies. My dad and uncle are both police officers and there pretty shocked about this. I respect the work they do and understand my dad does a profession involved with danger.

[WFD999]

My thoughts and prayers for the lost and thier families.

[FFWannabe]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/03/rcmpalert050303.html

[JGallagher]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/04/myrol-rcmp050304.html

More to the story and pictures.

[Pembina1019]

This happened a mere 15 minutes away from the town we live in. One of the officers that works in that detachment is an aquaintance of ours. We thank god that he wasn't involved in this. Apparently the shooter killed himself after he shot the officers. We also believe, from what we heard, the shooters brother was hunting down officers in the area, with a loaded weapon, to seek revenge on them for his brother's death. The RCMP apprehended him not long after. My family's thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.

[cdnbacon]

Whenever anyone in the emergency services dies it's a tragedy.

We all need to rely on each other to make our jobs as safe as possible.

Never Forget The Ones We Lose To Early.

[Jonas]

VANCOUVER, BC:

100% tragedy. Respect to our fallen heros*. How much longer WILL our Government adhear to a US policy which bans a leaf that is no more potent than ciggarets or coffee (not to mention the adverse long term effects of CC Whiskey or Don Cherry's suits)?

Seriously though. I WILL BE SO BOLD AS TO STATE: An entire economy awaits Canada. Preventing future tragedies like this one; houses and victims lost to grow-op fires; millions of tax payers dollars lost to the war on "a weed" (cannabis sativa to be scientific 'n' specific); and gang control (w/ this hidden endo-economy funding weapons & fueling crime).


Check your facts firethwarters. At one point in history even tomatos, coffee and alcohol were seen as illegal or a sin.
LEGALIZE**, COMMERCIALIZE & ADVERTISE & CANADA WILL ENTERPRIZE

*I hope these heros may set presidence, acting as a guiding light, forging a path to anti-prohibition laws......for IT would be an even greater tragedy if thier names were burried under the bureaucracy of borders and lackluster laws for centuries to come. What's next? Sending out DART or the ERT to bust prairies farmers for growing grains? HOW MANY MORE HEROS WILL BE LOST (& AT WHAT COST?).....

**The real question(s) about LEGALIZATION are:
(1) Would this nut job whom shot our brave RCMP still posses an inherent evil? (even if cannabis was legal),
(2) If legalized wouldn't there still have to be regulations and breathalizers (monitored somewhat like alcohol)?
(3) When legalized would cannabis become like the tabacco leaf? (meaning: large corporations adding tar & other toxins so the cigarette continues to burn as some jack-ass falls asleep & melts his membranes as you brave firethwarters have to hose out his house in the pissing rain when you'd rather be watching Dennis Leary).


THANKS FOR Listening Guys,

Just giving you some food for thought.

HOPE TO ONE DAY JOIN THE A-TEAM!!!

Respect,

J

A fool dies for a nobel cause,
a brave man lives for one!

[FireEMTGuy]

Recieved this poem from a RC we work with:

Below is a poem by a Mountie about the 4 murdered Mounties:

As four Mounties stood and faced
their Maker, which most sadly comes to pass,
They bowed down to see their boots were shining,
just like their first academy class.

"Step forward now, young Constables
how shall I deal with all of you?
Have you turned the other cheek down there?
Or have you all been true blue through and through?"

The first Constable, with squared shoulders, said
"No sir, I guess I ain't,
because those of us who carry such weighty badges can't always live like Saints."
The second confessed he'd worked most Sundays
and that at times his talk was rough,
and that to control such senseless violence,
sometimes words were not enough...
The third confessed he'd never took a penny,
that wasn't his to keep,
Though he'd worked a lot of overtime
when the bills just got too steep.
The last Constable stated that he never passed a cry for help
though inside he had occasionally shook with fear,
"and once," he said quite meekly, "I've wept unmanly tears."

The Constables all agreed together, that they were not sure
if they deserved to rest amongst the best,
Because their life had been one of serving,
And so they were used to having less...

"But if you do have a place for us here,
well...it need not be too grand,
we don't expect, nor have had too much
so if you don't...we understand."

There was silence throughout all of heaven
While the Saints nodded together as they stood,
And the Constables stood quietly shoulder to shoulder,
for their final judgment...bad or good.

"Step forward young police Constables,
You have borne your burdens well,
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets;
You've done your time in Hell."

[FFWannabe]

Thanks for posting that FireEMTguy. Very nice. I have been so tired of hearing the reports today saying the constables went there for other reasons and "why is this just coming out today". It was all over the news all weekend and it became apparent how they were caught by surprise, I don't like seeing the media turn an even more negative light on it. It's just a shame. I would also hate to see this turned into some crazy political circus, except for any other reason but to get more men/women out there, and have some finite procedures in place when dealing with Grow Ops, they're more dangerous than many people can imagine, booby trapped to the hilt with loaded shot guns, bear traps, etc. They're going to exist whether pot is legal or not.. people will always want it cheaper and criminals will always be criminals.

Such a sad situation, I hope they have found their peace.

Sue :)

[firewalker2]

My prayers go out to all the families involved in this terible tragety .

[FireEMTGuy]

I had the privilege to march in and attend today’s procession funeral for Constable Peter Christopher Schiemann in Stony Plain today.

It was a very solemn and amazingly formal procession and the funeral was very fitting.

I wish I could attend the march and funeral on thursday but I am scheduled to work, I am sure the Capt. will allow us to watch it on TV.

Rest in peace officers.

[Jonas]

Thank you FireEMTguy.

Your poem was heartfelt, a true testimony to the RCMP courage & comrodery.

WHO IS THE REAL CRIMINAL? (okay, ok.....this could be ethically debated till the cows come home and make chocolate milk, anyhow here's my take)

Perhaps when the Government and Public see the importance of protectors of the peace and keepers of order they will be payed what they are worth so they are not exhaused trying to pay the bills (is it too late to ask for a raise when armagedon comes?).

Sports athletes are over paid with glory, praise and wealth,
whilst the real heros are ignored.....

RESPECT,

J

[Red_Devil]

Jonas, this sad and tragic incident turned out this way because the man who shot them was a ticking time bomb who had a deep hatred for law enforcement. Yes there was a grow op on the property but in essence legalization of cannabis wouldnt have stopped this insane creature we call human.

[wilderness]

may the four brothers find peace and happiness, in the after life.. god be with them and there famlies.......

[DFCSmash]

This thread, nay this entire section, should NEVER be desecrated by those with agendas. If you feel the need to spout about the alleged root causes, or what was wrong with the situation, procedurally, politically or whatever.please feel free to start a new thread in whichever of the places is appropriate. My .02.

May the 4 fallen rest in peace, and their families have the strength that comes from knowing they are not alone in the pain of their senseless loss.

[Whitewater_419]

Agreed - My thoughts and prayers for fellow brothers-in-blue are with those of the family. A close family member was an RCMP officer for close to thirty years - they're not appreciated nearly as much as they should be.

Godspeed.

[FFWannabe]

I watched the Memorial today, it was very moving. Paul Martin's words were very thoughful and the uligies were very special. Beautiful and an incredible tear jerker. Makes me proud to be a part of that family in a round about way, very proud of my family members and friends who have chosen this profession. God be with them and keep them safe.

Sue :)

[resqteacher]

The ceremony today was both patriotic and emotional and I think those four officers looked down fondly today to see how much their community and country loved and respected them.
Our brothers and sisters on the thin blue line get little praise from the public in general and if this tragedy can bring about one simple change - I hope it is this.
Just as 9-11 opened the eyes of many to our profession and its inherent risks, I hope there are a few more unsolicited "thank you's" sent their way in the weeks and months to come.

God bless the fallen - everywhere.

[Michael13]

What a brother and sisterhood! Over whelming support shown to the service by everyone. Extremly heartwarming to know that they were loved and respected. My sympathy to all. And yes, this thread and all in "The Fallen" are sacred and nothing in here but sympathetic gestures please. Any other comments should be posted elsewhere.

[five_alarm]

EDMONTON, AB - A shaken nation joined thousands of police officers Thursday at a tear-filled memorial for four young RCMP constables gunned down last week at a remote farm in northern Alberta.

In what was the largest memorial of its kind Canada has ever seen, thousands of uniformed Mounties marched in a sea of crimson serge to honour the four: Peter Schiemann, 25, Leo Johnston, 32, Anthony Gordon, 28, and Brock Myrol, 29, who was born in Outlook, where he lived until moving to Red Deer, Alta., as a youngster.

"Canadians are shaken as we ponder the sudden deaths of four young men who had sworn to serve and protect us," Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson told the hushed crowd of 13,000 -- which included more than 10,000 officers from forces across the continent.

Source: Canada.com (http://www.canada.com/nanaimo/story.html?id=71012a6e-d414-4b10-b3da-73a65da6567b)

[bcfire]

A very moving tribute to our nation's finest. I really felt for the lad who lost his twin brother. May God bless their children and their wives! BCFIRE

[rescue1008]

WOW just when you think you might live in a safe place, it really make me sad,angry all at once and still trying to come toghter. Myself knowing a few officers in and arund here do admire the job they have and what they have to do. But our hearts and blessings go out to all R.C.M.P. officers and their families.

[mutts252]

i agree with what's been said so far on this... it's a terrible loss to the emergency services community, and should give us all cause to take a minute to reflect on things.

as for things about root causes, or what have you... i think it's pretty irrelevant to be posted here (and disrespectful of the fallen constables). i don't care if the man was selling flowers and donating the proceeds to charity - four police officers were killed... end of story...

[FireEMTGuy]

I have been emailed a powerpoint presentation in tribute to the fallen officers if anyone would like. If you want to view it please just let me know and I will try to send it to your firehall email.

[five_alarm]

MAYRETHORPE, AB - The residents of Mayerthorpe are marking a solemn and grim anniversary on Friday – the death a year ago of four young officers in the worst massacre in the RCMP's history.

On March 3, 2005 that Const. Brock Myrol, Const. Lionide (Leo) Johnston, Const. Peter Schiemann Const. Anthony Gordon – four young mounties at the start of their careers – were slain at the doorstep of James Roszko's property in Rochfort Bridge.

It was a tragedy that will forever mar the tight-knit rural Alberta community where the officers were posted. Across the province memorials and tributes were held to honour the officers but many in Mayerthorpe retreated from the public eye to grieve in private.

Source: cbc.ca (http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/story/ca-mayerthorpe20060302.html), canada.com (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=89cf8bc8-5685-436c-85b5-72433f3cfd63&k=63247), Global National (http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=0f1c650c-8dc7-424b-ae60-16c0e3c8adc0), ctv.ca (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060302/mayerthorpe_shooting_anniversary_060302/20060302?hub=Canada), National Post (http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=d7b7408d-863f-45ed-a97f-ced03b566776&k=67695), cnews.canoe.ca (http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/03/02/1469964-cp.html)

[FFWannabe]

One year already. Those poor families. I can't help but see the pictures of my Dad as a young officer in Const. Schiemann, same little grin. I can just picture my Dad when he was younger putting on his hat and saying, "And a flick for attitude" to make it just the slightest bit crooked (he did that when he was older... center it just right and then flick it).

I really feel for those families... "...forever broken" that's just heart breaking. I hope God watches over them carefully and helps to see them through.

[tr23]

I can't believe it's been a year. I hope those families have found some peace, and still remember that their loved ones were lost protecting us all.

[bestcoast]

Residents in Mayerthorpe, Alta., marked the second anniversary on Saturday of one of the worst police shootings in Canadian history when a man shot and killed four RCMP officers.
The attack in the town northwest of Edmonton happened on March 3, 2005. When it was over four officers were dead including Const. Brock Myrol, Const. Lionide (Leo) Johnston, Const. Peter Schieman and Const. Anthony Gordon.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2007/03/03/mayerthorpe.html

Never forget.....................BC................

[FFWannabe]

Residents in Mayerthorpe, Alta., marked the second anniversary on Saturday of one of the worst police shootings in Canadian history when a man shot and killed four RCMP officers.
The attack in the town northwest of Edmonton happened on March 3, 2005. When it was over four officers were dead including Const. Brock Myrol, Const. Lionide (Leo) Johnston, Const. Peter Schieman and Const. Anthony Gordon.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2007/03/03/mayerthorpe.html

Never forget.....................BC................

Thursday when I was getting ready to move I came across the front page picture of four officers sitting with heads down, holding the Serge hats of the four slain officers. It stopped me in my tracks as I remembered it was two years already.

You're right... Never forget.

[rejectionman]

3 Years ago today.

[RugbyCanada]

3 Years ago today.

I saw the CBC movie about two weeks ago, and that made me almost as mad as I was sad. All the best to their families, and I hope to never see something like this again.
Good job on the bump.