Larry Burden’s This Day In The RCMP

August 7, 2025

The achievements and contributions of the Force have been built upon the individual contributions of many past Veterans. These contributions have largely been forgotten.

Veteran Sgt. Larry Burden (#35982), who served in “E” Division for 20 years, has spent many years researching and summarizing these achievements by specific date. Nearly every day, Larry sends out an email message with a selection from his work in progress manuscript “This Day In The RCMP” to individuals interested in these historical notes.

In an effort to share his research to a large group, Larry has agreed to permit us to develop a webpage on our website. Each webpage will post Larry’s historical notations over the past week.

If you wish to contact Larry Burden or provide additional information about his research, please email him at larryburden8@gmail.com.

July 31

1880 Great Britain hands over the jurisdiction of the Arctic to Canada.

1885 Louis Riel made an eloquent address to the jury, saying he had been blessed by God with a mission to help the Indians, the Metis, and the whites of the North West. In his address to the jury he repudiated any suggestion of religious insanity and requested that he be judged solely on the political elements of his case. The jury found him guilty.

1983 A Commendation for Bravery awarded to #29981 Constable William Thordarson who observed that an apartment was on fire in North Vancouver BC. He called 911 and then entered the building and pulled the apartment fire alarm. He then forced his way into the burning apartment and searched the entire unit 3 times in an attempt to find any occupants, until he was finally driven out the building by the dense smoke and heat. His valiant search was to no avail, because unknown to him, the occupants had fled the building without pulling the alarm.

1983 The St. John Ambulance Meritorious Certificate was awarded to Constables #34537 Dennis A. Flanagan and #37091 M.F. Pitt-Payne after they responded to a complaint that a two year old boy had fallen into a septic tank at Maple Creek BC. The constables were successful in reviving the child, but he died three days later in hospital.

1993 On this day #40141/O.2776 Constable Bernadine A. Chapman responded to a complaint of a suicidal man who was threatening to jump from the Burton Bridge that spans the Saint John River at Burton NB. Constable Chapman and Firefighter David Gamble, climbed onto a narrow “catwalk” under the bridge. Although hampered by the noise from the wind and passing vehicles she calmly talked the man from his perch and prevented him from jumping into the river 300 feet below.

In October 2004 her outstanding courage and professionalism was recognized by the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement with their Medal of Valour. On September 11, 2005 Cst. Chapman was again honoured by The International Association of Women Police at a ceremony in Leeds, England where she received the association’s Valour Award. She retired as an Assistant Commissioner in 2021 after 33 years of service.

July 30

1962 – After twelve years of construction, the Trans-Canada Highway was officially opened to traffic at Revelstoke BC by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker thus eliminating the final 160 km of dusty, gravel road from Golden to Revelstoke. Running almost 9000 km, from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria BC, the Trans Canada is the longest national highway in the world.

1982 – The RCMP drug unit in Montreal Quebec seizes $22 million worth of hashish.

1983 – A second Commanding Officers Commendation for bravery is earned by #26111 Constable James Rouse for the successful rescue and recovery of two year old Leslie Semmler who was trapped inside a submerged vehicle in the fast flowing muddy waters of MacKenzie River, at Inuvik, NWT.

1990 – Constables #33391 B.H. Becker, #38635 Phil J. Graham and #39195 R.J. Hodyr found themselves confronted by a drunken mentally unstable man who had a loaded high power rifle in Prince George BC. The trio was able to convince the man to calm down and succeeded in arresting him without incident. For their courage and high degree of professionalism, they were awarded the Commanding Officers Commendation.

1991 – A Commanding Officers Commendation was earned by #42979 Constable J.R. Dixon for arresting a jewelry store robber, in Nanaimo, B.C. (Looking for more details)

July 29

1874 – After splitting the column and sending “A” Division to Edmonton, Commissioner French departed La Roche Percee (near Estevan Sask.) with five remaining divisions for Fort Whoop-Up.

1880 – As a result of anger and frustration with the government in not honouring the promises made in Treaty Six, Kamiscowesit, better known as Chief Beardy of the Willow Crees slaughtered a herd breeding cattle that had been delivered to his Band at Duck Lake.

Chief Beardy claimed that the cattle were killed to feed his starving people; the government interpreted the act as an attempt to flaunt government officials and demonstrate his authority as chief and a contingent led by #O.37 Superintendent William Herchmer were sent to arrest Chief Beardy. Accompanied by six members Herchmer marched into their camp and despite the fact that they were surrounded by over 75 agitated natives, Constables #294 William Ramsay and #399 Harry Nash yanked Chief Beardy” to his feet and arrested him. Chief “One Arrow” was arrested by #174 John Carruthers and #288 Samuel Donaldson. A third native leader, “Cut Nose” was taken by #383 Harold Ross and #400 Alfred Stewart. The angry mob began shooting their rifles over the heads of the police officers as they followed the squad who marched out of the camp with their charges to answer to the charges in court.

1903 – Honour Roll Number 26. Special Constable Stick Sam drowned when fording Kaskawulsh River, Y.T.

Special Constable Stick Sam was traveling by horseback with #O.117 Inspector Albert Edward Cortland MacDonell and #3653 Constable William Povoas. The trio was returning to Dalton Trail from a new gold strike on Alsek River, in the Yukon Territory. When they arrived at the Kaskawulsh River, they found it was running high, so they camped for the night with the intention of attempting to ford the river in the morning. At morning’s light, Inspector McDonell entered the river first and crossed half way, he thought that the river was safe enough to cross, and signaled to the constables to follow. No sooner had he done so than he realized that his horse was swimming and not walking across the bottom. Inspector McDonell slipped from his saddle and swam beside his horse until he made it across safely. Unfortunately Special Constable Sam’s horse charged into the stream too quickly and plunged into the deep water before Sam could react. The horse fell over and both the horse and rider were swept downstream by the strong current. Even though extensive searches were conducted by both the police and his family, Stick Sam’s body was never found.

July 28

1879 – Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald strikes out the military titles for the officer ranks of Major and Captain and changes them to Superintendent and Inspector. He then changed the name of the new force from the Northwest Mounted Rifles to Northwest Mounted Police.

The change in titles of rank created considerable confusion in what the further rank titles actually were.

To prevent further confusion the old titles were later revised to a new modern equivalent. Henceforth the rank structure was changed to:

· Sub-Constable became Constable

· Acting Constable became Corporal

· Constable became Sergeant

· Staff Constable became Staff Sergeant

· Chief Constable became Sergeant Major

· Superintendent and Sub-Inspector became Inspector

· Superintendent and Inspector became Superintendent

· Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner remained Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner.

· The new rank of Trumpeter was created.

Eventually the rank structure was changed again.

1879 – Having created the new rank of Trumpeter, the lucky lad had the job of calling the men on and off of their respective duties. The winter schedule was 30 minutes later than the summer schedule:

· Reveille…………………….6:00 A.M.

· Warning, stables…………….6:15

· Stables……………………….6:30

· Turnout………………………7:15

· First call, breakfast……………7:15

· Bread Ration………………….7:15

· Breakfast………………………7:30

· Sick Call……………………….8:00

· Warning, parade……………….8:15

· Parade………………………….8:30

· First call, dinner………………..12:45 P.M

· Dinner…………………………..1:00

· Warning, guard…………………1:35

· Warning, parade…………………1:45

· Guard……………………………1:50

· Parade……………………………2:00

· Rations…………………………..4:30

· Warning Stables…………………5:00

· Stables……………………………5:15

· Turnout…………………………..6:00

· First call………………………….6:00

· Supper:……………………………6:15

· Retreat……………………………6:30

· Officer’s Mess……………………6:30

· First Post………………………….9:30

· Last Post………………………….10:00

· Lights out…………………………10:15

1882 – The new headquarters for the NWMP was established at a place called Pile of Bones, now known as Regina, Saskatchewan.

1951 – To help celebrate the City of Detroit Michigan’s 250 birthday a contingent of Mounted policemen consisting of #10501 Staff Sergeant Clarence William Anderson, #12472 Corporal David Archie Hadfield and Constables #14813 Edward C. Hill and #16137 Douglas George Falconer led the Canadian section of the huge parade.

July 27

1874 – Assistant Surgeon O.27 Richard Barrington Nevitt and a constable arrived from Dufferin with American newspaper reports that the NWMP had been exterminated by the Souix.

1937 – A mentally deranged, disgruntled employee of the J. Palmer Company in Fredericton, NB pointed a pistol at several other employees. When members of the Fredericton City Police arrived they were taken hostage and held at bay by the gunman. The city police called the local RCMP for assistance and Constables #11526 David Evans and #11450 Leland Matchett responded. When they arrived at the scene the gunman met them with his pistol, but the two officers had drawn their own guns and ordered him to drop his weapon. He complied and was promptly arrested.

1973 – #25527 Constable Kenneth Ross was hailed by the manager of a Regina bank that had just been robbed. The manager pointed out the suspect and Ross approached him and the suspect pulled a gun and began shooting at him. Constable Ross continued to pursue the gunman while the two traded shots at each other. Shortly thereafter members of the Regina City Police joined in the chase and more shots were traded. Eventually the suspect was wounded and captured. Investigation revealed that the robber Val Leshenko was an escapee from the British Columbia Penitentiary. Ross received a commendation for bravery, he joined the RCMP in1967 and retired in 1997 as a Staff Sergeant.

1986 – Constables #32100 Dean Taylor, #35075 P.W. McManaman and #36440 Evan D. Graham responded to a complaint at a house in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT where a young man was threatening his family at gunpoint. When two of the policemen entered the house the man jumped out a window and attempted to flee. As the men chased him across the tundra, the gunman pointed his rifle at them several times and repeatedly threatened to shoot. As he crossed a body of shallow water he encountered Constable Taylor who blocked his path and ordered him to surrender.

The gunman refused and threatened to shoot if he did not allow him to pass. Constable Taylor refused and advised him that he would do everything in his power to stop him and then began reasoning with the man. When Taylor advised him that his father was watching and that he cared very much for his son, the man hesitated and looked back towards his father. Seizing the opportunity, Constable Taylor rushed and disarmed him. For their actions Constables McManaman and Graham were awarded Commanding Officers Commendations and Constable Taylor was awarded the Commissioners Commendation for Bravery.

1989 – Retired RCMP member #17616 S. Vincent Pogachar became the third oldest person to ever swim solo across the English Channel. After three years of training in the University of Ottawa pool and the waters of Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River the 57 year old traveled to England. Starting out at 06:17 from Shakespeare Beach near the English town of Dover he arrived in France at 22:05. During the swim he was stung by jellyfish four times.

2000 – An enraged man armed with an axe and a baseball bat went into the Band Office at Little Shuswap Indian Reserve near Chase, BC. Four members #30324 David Williams, #41457 Mark Scotnicki, #45405 Monty Robinson and #47987 Denise Bendfeld rushed to the scene and were confronted by the assailant who attacked them. He was shot in the shoulder and taken into custody. The four officers received the 2002 British Columbia Police Commission Honours “Award for Valour”.

July 26

1874 – The first Church Parade was held at La Roche Percee (near Estevan Sask.) 275 miles from Camp Dufferin. Commissioner French wrote in his diary “I was much pleased to hear many of the men singing hymns in the evening; unfortunately the language of many is by no means scriptural”

1936 – Among the thousands who were part of the “Vimy Pilgrimage” to pay tribute to Canada’s dead at the site of the WW1 battle, that many consider to be one of defining points in Canadian history, was a small squad of members of the RCMP. While King Edward VIII officially unveiled the monument, ten members of the RCMP placed in prominent places at the base of the monument, with their red uniforms and Stetson hats set against the white monument, provided a poignant symbol of a grateful homeland across the sea and a reminder that the participants were standing on Canadian soil.

Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Ridge War Memorial in France are the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were recorded as “missing and presumed dead” throughout France. The 91.18 hectares (250 acres) of land for the Vimy Memorial, bears a plaque at the entrance that states; “the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada”.

The base of the monument was constructed of eleven thousand tons of concrete and masonry and 5,500 tons of “trau” stone that was brought from Yugoslavia for the pylons and the sculptured figures. The massive construction project began in 1925 and was completed 11 years later. The ten men sent to represent the RCMP at the ceremony were; #11569 Sergeant C.E.J. Widgery, #10437 Corporal H. Wilkins, #5524 Lance Corporal R.W. Warrior, and Constables #11036 R.J.E. Dobson, #11511 B. Dowling, #9972 A. Harness, #10915 S.J. Leach, 10447 P.T. May, #11616 W.V. MacKinnon, #9902 J. Cullen.

Former Constable #2788 H.P.E. Francis of Toronto was moved to pen the following poem that was published in the RCMP Quarterly;

“Brothers in Canada’s Vimy – Peace

Peace, Canadian Brothers, Peace

Who sleep in Canada’s “Vimy Land”

The memory of your valiant deeds

Shall, with your living ever stand;

The priceless gifts you gave for Peace

Are loving memories, ne’er to cease.

Peace, perfect Peace.”

1982 – #20297 Staff Sergeant John Brayley was walking on the beach of Paper Mill Lake in Bedford, Nova Scotia, when he was advised that a man had drowned. Brayley rushed to the scene and dove in and found the victim’s body. After bringing the body to the surface he hauled him to shore and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and successfully revived him. He was later awarded The Royal Life Saving Society of Canada, M.G. Griffiths Award.

July 25

1973 – Canada’s 12th Prime Minister, Louis St-Laurent 1882-1973 died in Quebec at age at the age of 91. He served as the leader of the Liberal Government from Nov. 15, 1948 to June 21, 1957 and leader of the Opposition 1957-1958.

1981 – The McDonald Royal Commission condemns illegal RCMP activities against Quebec separatists and other dissidents and recommends that a civilian agency take over security work. As a result the Security Service Branch of the RCMP is disbanded and replaced with the newly created Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

1984 – While off duty, #28383 Constable William Kenneth Halverson MB received word that a vehicle had plunged off the Government Wharf, into the frigid waters of the Bay of Fundy at Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. Halverson rushed to the scene and witnessed three panic-stricken young men vainly trying to rescue a man from the submerged vehicle. Without concern for himself he dove into the rapid flowing tidal water, and swam down over three meters to the overturned vehicle. The tidal current was so strong that Cst. Halverson had part of his clothing torn off, but on his second attempt he managed to open the door of the vehicle, grab hold of the victim and swim the lifeless body to the surface. When help arrived by boat they found an exhausted Halverson trying to revive the man by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Unfortunately the victim could not be revived. On June 13, 1986 Constable William Kenneth Halverson was awarded The Medal of Bravery.

William Kenneth Halverson joined the RCMP in 1970 and retired as a Corporal in 1992.

1989 – Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York made an official tour of the RCMP Training Academy in Regina. Prince Andrew accompanied by Chief Superintendent W.R. Spring, attended a “March Past” and then the Royal couple toured the academy.

1995 – Commendation for bravery was issued to #42288 Constable Stephen Ouston after he rushed into a burning apartment in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan and rescued an unconscious man. (Looking for details)

July 24

1880 – Honour Roll Number 4.

#181 Cst. Claudius S. Hooley drowned in the Belly River, while on patrol from Fort Walsh to Fort MacLeod, N.W.T.

After failing to ford the Belly River the day before, teamster Constable Claudius S. Hooley urged his three companions; Inspector C.E. Denny and Constables Norman (Norrie) MacLeod, and Alfred Stewart to skip breakfast and attempt to get the team of horses and their wagon across the river so they could proceed on to Fort MacLeod.

Halfway across the river the horses were caught by the strong current and began to move down river. As the wagon followed, Hooley’s companions recognized the danger and jumped from the wagon and swam to shore. When the horses and wagon were hit with the full force of the current it began floating away. As his companions watched helplessly on shore, Hooley, a non-swimmer, frantically clung to the wagon as it overturned and dragged him and the team underwater. The overturned wagon and dead horses were found further down the river, but Constable Hooley’s body was not located for over a month when it was found 12 miles downstream.

He was buried with full honours at the Protestant section of the Union Cemetery at Fort MacLeod.

1885 – A court in Regina Saskatchewan found William Henry Jackson not guilty of treason by reason of insanity for his involvement in the North West Rebellion. Instead of prison he was sent to a lunatic asylum in Manitoba.

1895 – The Canadian government became concerned about the mass influx of foreign prospectors entering Yukon Territory where there were no official Canadian government officials, so they sent a contingent of men to establish a fort led by NWMP #O.79 Superintendent Charles Constantine.

Accompanying him was his wife, a Surgeon and 18 men. They left Regina on June 1, 1895 and travelled to Seattle Washington and then travelled on the steamer “Excelsior” to St. Michaels Alaska where they transferred to the SS “Portus Weare” that took them to Fort Cudahy, the first non native community in the Yukon, Forty-mile Creek(now Ch’ëdähdëk) located at the junction of the creek and the Yukon River. Arriving on July 24, 1895 the men began to build a new detachment that was named Fort Constantine that by Oct 7th they had constructed eight buildings that were occupied by October 14th before winter set in.

The men on Supt. Constantines contingent included: #O.99 Inspectors D’arcy Edward Strickland and #O.102 Alfred Ernest Wills. Staff Sergeant #869 / O.145 Murray Henry Edward Hayne, (See April 18 1906), Corporals #2498 Eli Newbrook, #2559 Philip Conrad Engel. Constables #2247 Henry Lewis Jenkins, #2323 Everett John ‘Klondike John’ Ward, (After leaving the Force he struck it rich in the gold rush!), #2400 Frederick Webster, #2632 John Murray, #2649 John Brothers (Killed in Action April 9, 1900 at Badfontein, South Africa while serving in the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) during the Boer War. Find A Grave #239833974), #2691 / O.159 Edward Miller Telford, #2876 John Thornton, #2883 Kenneth Sinclair, #2898 Stanley Robert Churchill, #2930 Angus Peter McKellar (Killed in Action Aug 10,1918 while serving in France with the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade in WWI. Find A Grave #23736939), #2949 Eldon Willington Jenkins, #2973 Arthur Pinkerton and #2989 Matthew Robinson Gowler.

1921 – A Commendation from American Alpine Club was awarded to #8496 Constable Charles Pounden who along with Mr. W. Childs and Mr. W. Peyto retrieved the body of 59 year old Dr. Winthrop E. Stone who had fallen to his death while mountain climbing in Banff National Park. This was the first mountain climbing death in Banff National Park. On July 15th Dr. Stone; president of Purdue University and his wife Margaret (Winter) set out to climb Eon Mountain 3310m (10860ft.) located on the continental divide at the head of Marvel Lake Valley between Mount Aye and Mount Gloria in Banff Park, Alberta.

After making their first ascent of Mount Eon via its southern slopes Dr. Stone attempted to reach the peak of the mountain ahead of his wife. Leaving his wife on a ledge forty feet below the summit Stone, was attempting to ascend a chimney when a large slab of rock fell from above him dragging down the slope passing over his horrified wife to his death 800 feet below. Preparing herself for the fall she braced herself to take the snap of the rope but it didn’t occur because her husband had removed it so he could climb beyond its length. Mrs. Stone then attempted to climb down to her husband’s body but became trapped on a ledge and was stranded until the search party found him seven days later. Dr. Stone’s body was located on August 5th jammed into a seventeen-foot deep crevice.

On face value this certificate of appreciation appears to be no big deal but in 1921 Mounties still rode horses and were not trained or equipped to conduct an expedition into the Rockies to recover a body that was nearly inaccessible. The task required the best mountaineers available, but duty called and this sudden death had to be investigated. In researching this story the author was able to notify both the American Alpine Association and The Alpine Club of Canada and provide them with the name of Constable Charles Pounden whose name was lost to history, so they could amended their historical records of this tragic event.

Constable Pounden joined the RNWMP in 1919 and retired from the RCMP in 1930.

1933 – The RCMP Cruiser Preventor rescued the 23-man crew of the disabled schooner “Ruth and Margaret” of Gloucester, Mass. The schooner had lost her propeller and was adrift in the fog.

1939 – 5185 / O.195 Superintendent Theodore Sandys-Wunsch was in charge of a party of men who were attempting to arrest James Croteau in the Yukon Territory. When cornered, Croteau began shooting at the police officers and the superintendent was shot in the face. Though wounded, he returned fire and succeeded in killing the assailant.

Theodore Sandys-Wunsch joined the RNWMP in 1911 and retired as an Assistant Commissioner in 1947.

1968 – Commendations were issued to Constables #24244 Beverley Dodd and #24525 Kenneth Laturnus for disarming and arresting a man with a loaded rifle near Armstrong, BC. (seeking more detail)

1974 – Commanding Officers Commendations for Bravery were issued to Constables #28933 Randall Burt and #29980 John Ewankiw for their actions at a family dispute in Kitimat, BC. Upon their arrival at the scene a gunman armed with .22 fired several shots in direction of the two members. After taking cover they successfully convinced to put the gun down and then overpowered and arrested him.

1996 – Five men were exploring a gold mine near Atlin BC when their fresh air pumping system failed. The miners returned to ground level when they heard the cries of a colleague who was still at the bottom of the dark 70-metre shaft. One of the miners rushed back down the shaft and tied a rope around the then unconscious man and began hoisting him up the narrow passage, but then the rescuer succumbed to the deadly gases. Then the other men tried to pull the two unconscious victims up but were weakened by the gases.

Then #43119 Constable Murray Richard Baltus MB arrived on scene and entered the mine with Luke Woodbridge, the sixteen-year-old son of one of the unconscious miners. They located the boy’s father on the third level of the mineshaft and began to lift him up but the toxic gases forced the teenager to go back to the surface. Undeterred, Cst. Baltus pressed on. He lifted Mr. Woodbridge’s body over his shoulder and climbed up the slippery ladder until other rescuers could reach him and helped complete the rescue. Unfortunately the first victim and his rescuer did not survive.

For his courage in saving the Life of Mr. Woodbridge, Constable Baltus was awarded The Medal of Bravery on September 18, 1998.

July 23

1890 – # 2211 Constable Joseph Shaver discovered that police work is serious business when he found himself before the Commissioner at Depot Division charged for laughing in the ranks while on parade. His trip to service court resulted in a fine of $2.00, which was equivalent to over four days pay!

1900 – The Government of Canada passes legislation banning the immigration of criminals or ‘paupers’ to Canada.

1973 – While swimming at MacLeod’s Beach, Inverness, Nova Scotia nine-year-old Augusta J. MacLeod became caught in an undertow and was carried out to sea. When #26792 Cst. Roy Fraser Inman MB who had been swimming in the area earlier, saw the child struggling in the water over 100 yards from shore and being aware of the treacherous conditions she was in, immediately swam to her aid. On reaching the child, he instructed the girl to put her arms around his neck so that he could support her above the water. He then proceeded to swim to shore with her clinging to his back, spending a great deal of the time holding his breath while swimming underwater. Had Constable Inman not undertaken the exhausting and perilous rescue, the child would likely have perished. For his courage and quick action he was issued the M.G. Griffiths Award from The Royal Life Saving and he was awarded The Medal of Bravery on September 22 1975.

July 22

1876– James Farquharson Macleod, C.M.G. (1836-1894) becomes the second permanent Commissioner of the NWMP and serves until October 31, 1880. Born in Drynoch, Isle of Skye, Scotland Macleod was one of the most colourful and interesting Commissioners in the History of the Force, having been a militia officer, lawyer, Policeman magistrate, judge, and politician. His family emigrated to Richmond Hill Ontario in 1845 because his father a soldier who had father, fallen seriously ill while on military service in Demerara (Guyana) and had lost seven brothers to tropical diseases while they were serving in the British and Indian armies decided to leave Scotland to avoid a similar fate for his sons. Educated at Upper Canada College and passing the bar examinations at Osgoode Hall he moved to Bowmanville Ontario and practiced law from 1860 to 1870. While living in Bowmanville he became a Captain in the Bowmanville Volunteer Militia Rifle Company, where he saw action in the Trent Affair (1861) and the Fenian Raids (1866). Macleod served as brigade major with the Wolseley expedition in 1870 during the Red River rebellion in Manitoba. In 1873 Prime Minister MacDonald offered him a commission as superintendent in the newly established North-West Mounted Police He founded Fort Macleod, suppressed the illegal whisky trade and gained the trust of the Blackfoot and Blood nations. In 1885 relationships between him and Commissioner French began to deteriorate so he accepted an appointment as a stipendiary magistrate for the North-West Territories on and left the force on January 1st 1876. Six months later French resigned and the position of Commissioner was offered to him retaining his appointment as stipendiary magistrate under the terms of the North-West Territories Act of 1875. Macleod had a special admiration and respect for the native people of the region and his tone of patience, reason, and diplomacy in dealing with them made the relationship between the Mounties and the locals populace survived until the 1890s.

By 1878 he was becoming seriously concerned about the rapidly decreasing numbers of buffalo on the plains. By then Chief Sitting Bull had fled the United States with his band of nearly two hundred after the Battle of the Little BigHorn and sought refuge from the American military in Canada. With the Sioux taking refuge, competition for an increasingly scarce food supply intensified and threatened to lead to warfare among the plains tribes. In an effort to stem the slaughter of the buffalo, Macleod introduced legislation in the NorthWest Territories Council to regulate the buffalo hunt. Though he meant well the regulations had little effect on the destruction of the primary food source for the native people and early 1879 all the plains tribes faced starvation. Working himself to the point of near exhaustion (he travelled more than 2,300 miles by horse in 1879 to conduct police work and to fulfill his judicial responsibilities.) In 1880 facing criticism by Parliament for the financial affairs of the Force and his repeated pleas for help for the starving natives that fell on deaf ears, Macleod had enough and resigned from the Mounted police to concentrate on being a magistrate. In 1887 was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the NWT. Seriously ill with Bright’s disease, his health deteriorated rapidly and he died on 5 September 1894. The impact of James Farquharson Macleod on the west cannot be overstated. He is buried at Union cemetery in Calgary Alberta. This man of honour and principle had a significant impact on the peaceful development of the region and numerous communities, landmarks and buildings bear his name.

1918 – #3300 / O.173 Inspector John Phillips accompanied by #4396 Cpl. William A. Doak and #5369 Cst. Eric H. Cornelius, left Herschel Island, in a boat to obtain their mail. During the journey they were caught in a sudden storm and floating sea ice wrecked their boat. The three men were forced to abandon the boat and jump from one ice floe to another as they made their way to solid ice. Eventually they encountered open water and were forced to swim in the arctic water to reach shore. Constable Cornelius was directed to hike back to Herschel some 12 miles (19 kilometres) away to obtain help, while Inspector Phillips and Corporal Doak built a driftwood shelter on the shoreline. Following orders Constable Cornelius began his trek to Herschel, in soaking wet clothing. By the next morning, Corporal Doak was delirious with fever and the Inspector nearly froze from the cold. Fortunately they were able to get the attention of a passing whaling boat and were rescued by the crew. When the rescue party located Cst. Cornelius, they found him valiantly struggling in his frozen clothing to find his way back to Herschel Island.

1944 – R.C.M. Police Vessel “St. Roch” captained by Sgt. Henry Asbjorn Larsen 1899-1964 leaves Halifax Nova Scotia to begin her second voyage through the NorthWest Passage. She completes the trip in just 86 days.

1950 – Former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King dies at his Kingsmere estate at the age of 75. He was born on December 17, 1874, at Berlin (Kitchener), Ontario and educated at the universities of Toronto and Harvard. He served as Prime Minister of Canada Dec. 29, 1921-June 28, 1926; Sept. 25, 1926-Aug. 7, 1930; Oct. 23, 1935-Nov. 15, 1948.

1972 – Several members were involved in a high-speed criminal pursuit of a truck and camper in Surrey BC. The speeding vehicle had sideswiped a couple of vehicles and avoided a police roadblock. When 23-year-old #26874 Constable Grant Charles Wyton riding a police motorcycle pulled alongside the truck. The driver refused to pull over so Constable Wyton steering his motorcycle with his knees leaned over and grabbed the truck door handle, and then let go of his motorcycle. He then grabbed the steering wheel and steered the truck into the ditch and apprehended the driver. Fortunately the successful end to the pursuit did not result in any serious injuries other than the cost of a new motorcycle! Constable Wyton received the Commanding Officer’s commendation for courage.

1973 – Commanding Officers Commendation awarded to Constables #28476 R.M. Curry and #29733 R.A.C. Jones of Prince George B.C for their arrest of an armed murderer. 33-year old Chesley was later sentenced to six years for manslaughter.

July 21

1941 – The 7th reinforcement draft to Canadian Provost Corps during WWII included; Constables #13660 Temple Clark, #13624 Alfred Baxter, #13646 William Henry and #13642 Erlendur Erlendson.

1947 – Five members of the RCMP lose all of their personal effects when the RMS “Nascopie” sinks near Cape Dorset, NWT.

#O.341 Inspector Albert W. Parsons, along with constables #10196 Robert Hamilton #10416 William Stewart, #13272 Arthur R. Bates, #14554 Murray L. Cottell and S.E. Decker were being transported to Chesterfield Inlet North West Territory aboard the 2500 ton, 285 ½ foot long steamer-icebreaker “Nascopie”. As the ship approached the entrance to Cape Dorset harbour it struck an uncharted steeply rising reef off of Beacon Island.

The Royal Mail ship Nascopie owned and operated by the Hudson Bay Company had an illustrious history having served both the government and her owners in two world wars, fighting off a German U Boat attack in WW1. Designed and built in Scotland in 1911 she was named after the First Nations people of Quebec and Labrador she had been the lifeline to many in the Arctic for forty years. She remained stranded on the reef for over two months when she was broken in half by a storm on September 25th and her bow slid into deep water. The remainder of the ship’s stern clung to the reef until another storm on October 15th took her to the bottom.

The wreck of the Nascopie remained undisturbed for nearly fifty years until Paul Beilstein led a team of divers, and rediscovered her in 1997 and placed a plaque on the reef to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her sinking.

1954 – Honour Roll 227.

#S/9161 Special Constable Andrew Ooyoumut Drowned in the Kikatavyuk River, Northwest Territories, (now Nunavut) while on special duty.

1993 – Commissioners Commendations for bravery were earned by #39745 Constable Richard A. Patenaude and his wife, after they arrested a man who was wielding an axe during the break and enter into the home of an elderly couple. Even though Constable Patenaude was injured in the process, the assailant was subdued and arrested.

July 20

1885 – Trial of Louis Riel 1844-1885 for treason begins at Regina, the capital of the North-West Territories; Riel wishes to plead not guilty, but his lawyers enter an insanity plea over his objections.

1974 – A Commanders Commendation for Bravery is issued to #26614 Charles Dyke for the rescue of a woman from house fire, at Bishops Cove, Nfld. (Looking for more detail)

1985 – After finding him guilty the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench fines former school teacher James “Jim” Keegstra (1934-) $5,000 for willfully promoting hatred against Jews.

Keegstra was a former mayor and high school teacher in Eckville, Alberta who for over a decade taught his social studies students that the Holocaust didn’t happen, and taught them that Jews were “treacherous”, “subversive”, “money-loving”, “power hungry” and “child killers” and that a Jewish conspiracy controlled world affairs. After being warned by the school board to cease teaching his version of the Jewish conspiracy as fact, Keegstra was fired on December 7, 1982, after he failed to comply with the directive. Afterwards his teaching certificate was revoked when his membership in the Alberta Teachers Association was revoked. On January 11, 1984, he was charged with criminally promoting hatred against an identifiable group for his actions in the classroom from 1978 through 1982.

In 1988 he successfully appealed the verdict arguing that Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteed the right of “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. In 1990 the Supreme Court of Canada overturned the Court of Appeal and ordered a new trial in which the second jury convicts him in 1992.

1994 – Commendation awarded to #38879 /O.2143 Michael Jeffrey for the arrest of a man armed with two knives, at Clyde River, Nunavut. (Looking for more detail)

2012 Honour Roll #230

In much of Canada Moose collisions are a regular occurrence and police officers along with others have been killed after colliding with the world’s largest member of the deer family.

On this day 38-year-old #55042 Constable Derek William Henry Pineo was responding to a call at 02:00 a.m. on Highway 14, near his detachment at Wilke, Saskatchewan. When he collided with a large moose on the road.

Hailing from Fall River, Nova Scotia, Derek Pineo had nearly five years’ service in the Force. He left behind his wife Natasha, and three children, Novela, Kayleb and Ocean. After a regimental funeral in Nipawin, SK that was attended by his parents, and family along with numerous others. Later his remains were interred at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Fall River Nova Scotia.

July 19

1962 – Honour Roll Number119.

#21512 Cst. Archille Octave Maxime Lepine age 24 was killed in a motorcycle crash at Surrey BC.

At approximately 12:20 on the morning of July 15th 1962, Constable Archille Lepine was riding his police motorcycle up Pederson Hill to Whalley at approx. 45 mph. The visibility and road conditions were good when he drove into the side of a truck that was turning left. Lepine’s head struck the top edge of the roof of the truck and then slid down the windshield tearing off his helmet causing extensive lacerations. Following the collision, his motorcycle hurled down the road in a shower of sparks with Lepine entangled with it as it caught fire.

Several witnesses managed to pull Constable Lepine away from the wreckage and extinguished his burning clothes. He was rushed to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Vancouver but succumbed to his injuries four days later. Constable Lepine had been in the RCMP for only two years and was buried with full Honours at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens in Prince Albert Saskatchewan.

1976 – Commanding Officers Commendations for bravery was awarded to #25316 Constable Richard Kitchen and Okanagan Helicopters pilot, Jim Franklin, after they rescued a woman and child who had been swept over waterfalls at Clearwater Lake in British Columbia. Constable Kitchen was suspended in harness on a 100 foot rope below the helicopter was able to lift them from an islet as the helicopter carried them to safety.

2012 – On this day #57753 Constable Peter D. Chandler was patrolling Highway 40, thirty kilometres west of Battlefords Rural Detachment near the Sweet Grass First Nation, when he was flagged down by a motorist. The driver explained that he witnessed a Ford Mustang go over the shoulder of the road and crash into a pond.

Cst. Chandler rushed to the scene and climbed down a 40’ embankment and waded into the water struggling through thick alders to reach the submerged overturned vehicle. When he reached the location, he was advised by the driver who had managed to escape the sinking vehicle that there was a passenger trapped inside the car.

Chandler then removed all his personal equipment, including gun belt, vest and boots and swam down to the car. Feeling around in the frigid, zero-visible water, he felt and arm through the passenger window but was unable to pull the person free, because they were strapped in by their seatbelt. He then swam to the surface, advised the others on the scene to call 911 and advise them about the situation and obtained a knife from a bystander. He then dove back into the 9’ of water and attempted to cut the seatbelt.

Feeling his way in the black water, Chandler finally succeeded in cutting free the seatbelt, but cut his own hands several times in the process. After clearing the seatbelt, he managed to pull the victim out of the vehicle and swim the lifeless body back to shore where he turned it over to other emergency personnel who began CPR. Unfortunately, the victim could not be revived.

In recognition of his presence of mind, quick action and courage in attempting to save a life he was awarded a Commander’s Commendation, the Royal Canadian Humane Association Silver medal for bravery, St Johns Ambulance gold pin award from Canada, St John Ambulance Silver medal from the UK and a Royal Lifesaving certificate award.

July 18

1951 Alexander Zakopiac and Albert Proux were two notorious criminals who robbed the East branch of Imperial Bank of Canada in East Kildonan, Manitoba and fled on foot into the bush with the $6920 they got in the robbery. The pair was later found in Vivian MB and in the ensuing gun battle that occurred, #15298 Constable John Friend was wounded. Albert Proux was killed in the exchange and Zakopiac was arrested by constables #17047 George Annand and #15848 / O.699 George Currie. Alexander Zakopiac was sentenced to 30 years in prison but succeeded in escaping in 1955 after he had been transferred to the Selkirk Mental Home. He was eventually recaptured in 1979.

1977 Parliament passes new laws to control purchase and use of firearms, and to increase police wiretapping powers.

1997 With only twenty minutes to before his shift ended at 0400 hours #41277 Constable Barry Thomas noticed a yellow glow in the sky near the airport in Swan River Manitoba. He rushed to the scene and found The Belcher residence on fire and the attached garage engulfed in flames. His arrival coincided with one of the owners of the house arriving from inside the burning building and she quickly explained that she could not call for help because the fire had knocked out the phone line. Constable Thomas observed that Mr. Betcher was in shock and assisted him out of the building but when he looked he saw Mrs. Betcher rush back into the burning building.

Even though the family car parked in the garage was in danger of exploding and the growing smoke and flame inside the house Constable Thomas rushed back into the house and went from room to room looking for her and anyone else that may have been in the building. Unbeknown to him the woman had left the house through the back door without his knowledge.

He completed searching every room and returned to the street whereupon he found Mrs. Betcher and proceeded to care for them until other emergency services arrived. For his selflessness and bravery Constable Thomas was awarded the Commanding Officers Commendation.

July 18

1977 Parliament passes new laws to control purchase and use of firearms, and to increase police wiretapping powers.

July 17

1976 – Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the Summer Olympic Games before an enthusiastic Montreal crowd of 73,000 even though the Stadium is unfinished, and 21 countries, mostly African, boycotted the games. The Games of the XXI Olympiad are Canada’s first Olympics and will cost over $1.5 billion dollars. A total of 6,085 competitors from 92 nations compete over 16 days and Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci makes history with two perfect 10 scores. Canada will win five silver and six bronze medals, becoming the first host country in the modern Olympics to not win a gold medal.

2007 – Mr. William J. S. Elliot became the 22nd Commissioner of the RCMP on July 16, 2007. He is the first civilian to become the permanent Commissioner in the history of the Force.