The Prince Albert RCMP has memorialized four local officers killed in the line of duty.
The detachment dedicated the memorials during a private ceremony last Friday attended by members from the P.A. detachment, the north district management team, Prince Albert General Investigation Section and several members posted to the P.A. area, along with members with the veteran’s association, the Prince Albert ANAVETs and the acting chief of police from the Prince Albert Police Service.
F Division air services did a ceremonial fly-by while Prince Albert Pipes and Drums Band played Amazing Grace.
The ceremony was held to coincide with the 128th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Montgomery of the North West Mounted Police who died in 1890 after falling from his horse in Prince Albert. The memorials also remember Sgt. Robert Schrader and Const. Douglas Anson, who were shot and killed while on duty investigating a domestic dispute near MacDowall on Oct. 9 1970. The fourth plaque is dedicated to Const. Roy Karwaski, who died from internal injuries from a police car accident in P.A. on May 24, 1980.
About 25 members of Schrader’s family who still live in Saskatchewan were in attendance, including his children and grandchildren.
Cpl. David Chamberlain, who organized the ceremony, said the plaques give the detachment an opportunity to honour the fallen.
“It’s a chance for us to pay tribute to those who have fallen before us,” he said.
“Having them displayed on memorials also allows the public to come pay respect to members that may have been killed over the years.”
The plaques are mounted around the flagpole at the 15 Street NW location, two on each side. They’ve been in development for about a year. Chamberlain said he took some inspiration from his time serving in the military.
“I think it’s important for us to recognize the sacrifice of those before us,” he said. “I’ve been in dedication ceremonies not just in Canada but across the world, and it’s important for me as a leader to show the constables that it’s important to remember our past and respect those who have fallen.
“It’s a good reminder of the dedication and ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes, we have to lay down our lives in service of … Canadians.”
