RCMP honours its own

REGINA – Sept. 13, 2009 — Today, the RCMP held its National Memorial Service at the RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division. The ceremony honoured members, special constables and auxiliary constables who lost their lives in response to an operational policing duty in which there was the element of life-threatening risk.

Two names were inscribed on the Cenotaph, the Honour Roll and the Memorial Wall plaques this year, bringing the total number of fallen members to 222 since the creation of the North-West Mounted Police in 1873. They are: Constables George Hamilton Johnston—Honour Roll number 221, regimental number 345—and James Lloyd Lundblad—Honour Roll number 222, regimental number 49108.

Constable Johnston, a historical addition to the Honour Roll, served from June 9, 1879 to May 23, 1882. He was accidentally shot at Fort Walsh, Northwest Territories.

Constable Lundblad served from November 5, 2001 to May 5, 2009. He died as a result of a motor vehicle accident while conducting traffic law enforcement near Millet, Alberta.

In an emotional address during the chapel service, Corporal Natasha Szpakowski—facilitator at “Depot” and widow of Constable Marc Bourdages, who was slain in July 2006 following a domestic dispute near Mildred, Saskatchewan—reflected on the importance of the Memorial Service.

“We are here at this memorial, not to dwell on painful memories, but to provide support, remember our loved ones as strong, how they worked hard, played hard, how they lived, how they loved and how they dedicated their very souls, striving to make our world a better place,” stated Corporal Szpakowski.

The Memorial Service was attended by a number of dignitaries including the Honourable D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert, Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing for the Government of Saskatchewan; Commissioner William J.S. Elliott; and family members and friends of fallen members. They were joined by 24 troops made up of members, veterans and cadets who took part in the Memorial Parade, along with the “Depot” Division Cadet Band and the RCMP Regina and “K” Division Pipes and Drums Bands. Members came from British Columbia ("E" Division), Alberta ("K" Division), Saskatchewan ("F" Division), Manitoba ("D" Division) and “Depot” Division.

Commissioner Elliott presented RCMP Memorial Mementos to the relatives of this year’s fallen members at a private ceremony held the evening before. The front of the Memento—a lacquered sterling silver medallion—is engraved with the crest of the RCMP on a police badge with the fallen member's regimental number, all surrounded by maple leaves. The reverse side is engraved with rank, name and service dates.

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For more information please contact:

Marie R. Patterson
Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP "Depot" Division
306-780-5707
306-537-1307 (cellular)