Members of the province’s law enforcement community gathered in Victoria Sunday afternoon for a memorial honouring officers killed in the line of duty.
The BC Law Enforcement Memorial (BCLEM) was established in 2019 to coincide with the National Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial in Ottawa, observed annually on the last Sunday of September.
This year, 132 officers will be honoured, including Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Rick O’Brien. The RCMP recently marked one year since O’Brien was killed while responding to an incident in Coquitlam in September 2023. Last year’s BCLEM was held two days after his death.
His name will be added to the memorial’s Roll of Honour.
The Canada-wide event was created by the Solicitor General of Canada in 1998 to give Canadians an opportunity to express appreciation for those who put themselves at risk every day to protect the public.
The provincial event took place outside the B.C. Legislature.
–With files from David Nadalini.