Nothing scars a community more than tragedy, and the Town of Mayerthorpe has seen it first hand.
On Tuesday, March 3, the Leader travelled to Mayerthorpe to pay our respects and hear the story behind the killing of four RCMP officers.
What we found was not a community torn by the loss, but a community strengthened by it.
For some, 10 years flies by, but for others it ticks by slowly, and for those touched personally by the tragedy one thing is clear, their memory lives on.
Four statues stand proudly in the Fallen Four Memorial park, each facing a different direction, in a different stance, as a way of showing how unique each of the men were.
The ceremony was simple, candles flickered in the bitter wind, but one thing that never went out was the spirits of those who attended.
Both young and old stood around the memorial, listening as names were read out of the officers who have passed away while on or off duty.
Tragedies bring communities together in a way nothing else can. They strengthen them, and teach them the importance of each precious moment.
The four men who lost their lives were doing what they loved to do, protect their community.
It was after speaking with the Director of the Fallen Four Memorial Park that it sank in, these people hold a high regard for their officers, and not just the one’s in the RCMP.
Peace officers and the like put themselves in similar situations when called out, and it’s because of their dedication to what they do that communities are as safe as they are.
The cold air didn’t prevent families from gathering in remembrance that night, as the community stood proudly together with the sun setting in the distance.
It didn’t matter to them that the ceremony was being viewed worldwide, what mattered was the story that was being told.
Officers should not only be remembered during times like this, but should be thought of often, and recognized for all that they do, so when you see an officer passing by don’t just keep on walking, stop them and thank them for all that they do.
They don’t know what they will encounter when responding to a call, but they are always the first one’s to respond when help is needed. Thank you for all that you do.
