The British Columbia Law Enforcement Memorial Service – 2017

On a beautiful sunny Sunday, September 24th the British Columbia Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held on the lawn of the B.C. Legislature. One hundred and twenty police officers and peace keepers from B.C. were remembered for their sacrifice. Each of the 120 names of the dead were read out by junior officers.

Victoria Police Department Const. Johnston Cochrane, who died June 2, 1859 was the first name called out.

RCMP Constable Sarah Beckett, who died on April 5, 2016, was the last name read.

No B.C. officers have died in 2017. Nationally, 863 died in the line of duty as of 2016.

In a sea of red, blue and black uniforms, hundreds of police officers, sheriffs, corrections officers and first responders from across the country attended the memorial Sunday, held in Victoria for the first time since Beckett’s death.

The B.C. memorial rotates each year between the B.C. Legislature in Victoria and a location in the Lower Mainland.

Vancouver Division Vets Laurie Cadieux and Gord Cave volunteered
to carry Canada’s National Flag and the “E” Division Ensign

Parade Commander, Inspector Dave Hall, prepares to to march the parade off.

RCMP Pipes and Drums lead the way followed by a troop of RCMP members led by
Staff Sergeant Major Stephen Hurst.

Vancouver Police Mounted Unit.

“The Boston” located at the rear of the Legislative Building.

The BC Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation (BCLEMF) was created as a “Not for Profit” registered foundation in 2003. The purpose of the Foundation was to create a Provincial Monument dedicated to those officers who lost their lives in active service to the citizens of BC. The BCLEMF saw this task completed in 2004 with “The Bastion” being unveiled in September 2004 by the Premier Gordon Campbell, Solicitor General Rich Coleman and a representative “Fallen Hero Family,” Mr. and Mrs. Ng (parents of Cst. Jimmy Ng) at the annual memorial event, on the grounds of the BC Legislature.

The original Honour Roll and Bastion contained 96 names in 2004. Since that time, the BCLEMF has continued to conduct research into the past events throughout British Columbia where circumstances involving the loss of a peace officer were not fully known. Today, there are 120 names inscribed on the Bastion. The BCLEMF has also maintained the up-to-date full “Honour Roll” including new tragic incidents that likewise claimed the lives of present day peace officers.

The BCLEMF has yearly retained responsibility for the review of new additions to The Bastion, ensuring present criteria are met in each incident as well as maintaining possession of the BC Law Enforcement Memorial Book where each name and incident is recorded.

As a non-profit society, monies raised from any source are maintained by a local Victoria Law Firm “In Trust” and are used to complete research, engrave new names and maintain “The Bastion” in perpetuity.