Military Police honour fallen officers

Thirty military police took part in the parade for the Sept. 29 event that honoured fallen officers. Photo by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A contingent of 30 Military Police from across British Columbia, led by Major Roland Russell, paid tribute to fallen colleagues in the annual B.C. Law Enforcement Memorial on Sept. 29 in Victoria.

The annual ceremony honours the lives and contributions of every law enforcement member in the province who died in the line of duty.

This year’s memorial ceremony was held simultaneously with ceremonies in Canada’s provincial capitals and with the Canadian Police and Peace Officer Annual Memorial Service held in Ottawa. The memorial was attended by officers representing 24 municipal, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies.

For Sub-Lieutenant Garret Cross, Operations Officer with Esquimalt’s Military Police Unit, this was his first B.C. Law Enforcement Memorial. He assisted in the organization for this year’s event and described the experience as “bitter sweet” as the ceremony honours the lives of members who pursued a common goal of making B.C. communities a safer place and ultimately died in that pursuit.

“I believe the experience is a therapeutic one for everyone involved,” said SLt Cross. “You could see by the expressions of everyone who attended that these deaths have deeply impacted all of us. This ceremony highlighted the unbreakable bond that exists between Military Police personnel and all first responders.”

The ceremony commenced with the parade marching from Government Street to the B.C. Legislature. There was a crowd gathered to hear the names of 125 fallen police officers. A moment of silence was followed by the playing of The Last Post, three volleys fired from a rifle, and the laying of wreaths for the fallen. The ceremony concluded with a march past and salute of the B.C. Premier and honoured guests

Military Police Unit Esquimalt was well represented with Corporal Jonathan Brisbane-Babin – Canadian flag bearer, Cpl Adam Comeau – MP flag bearer, Cpl Adrian Anter – rifle member, and Cpl Kaylen Roy – Fallen Nominal Roll reader.

For more information about the BCLEM and Canadian National ceremonies visit their websites at www.BCLEM.ca and www.cpa-acp.ca