REGINA, September 12, 2010 – Sadly, four names were added today to the RCMP Honour Roll, the Cenotaph and the Memorial Wall during the RCMP National Memorial Service held at “Depot” Division. The ceremony honours members, special constables and auxiliary constables who lost their lives in response to an operational policing duty in which there was the element of life-threatening risk. The following names were added to the 222 already found on the Honour Roll.
Honour Roll #223
Constable Norman Harry Atkins
Regimental number 31502
Served from May 15, 1974 to July 21, 1985 and again from December 2, 1988 to July 8, 1995
Died as a result of a police car collision near Finnegans Hill, New Brunswick.
Honour Roll #224
Constable Chelsey Alice Robinson
Regimental number 58586
Served from December 7, 2009 to June 21, 2010
Died as a result of a two-vehicle collision while on patrol on Highway 16 in Stony Plain, Alberta.
Honour Roll #225
Sergeant Mark Charles Gallagher
Regimental number 46470
Served from January 18, 1998 to January 12, 2010
Died as a result of a massive earthquake while serving on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Honour Roll #226
Chief Superintendent Douglas Edward Coates
Regimental number O.1875
Served from September 15, 1978 to January 16, 2010
Died as a result of a massive earthquake while serving on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
As expressed by Commissioner William J.S. Elliott:
It is my hope that the family and friends of our fallen comrades will find some solace in the knowledge that their loved ones' sacrifices will always be remembered by their extended RCMP family. We are mindful of the tragic death of Constable Michael Potvin who lost his life while on duty in Mayo, Yukon on July 13, 2010. Mike and his family remain in our thoughts and prayers. Constable Potvin’s service and sacrifice will be officially recognized at our 2011 National Memorial Service.
The Memorial Service was attended by family and friends of fallen members along with dignitaries including His Honour the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan; the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification); the Honourable Jack Layton, Member of Parliament for Toronto–Danforth and leader of the New Democratic Party; Mr. Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre; and the Honourable D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert, Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing for the Government of Saskatchewan. They were joined by veterans, cadets and members from across the country. The “Depot” Division Cadet Band and the RCMP Regina and “K” Division Pipes and Drums Bands were also on hand to pay tribute to the fallen members.
According to “Depot” Division’s commanding officer, Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown, the service—held annually at Depot since the mid-1930s—is one of the most enduring traditions of the Division and of the Force. “It is our opportunity to honour true ambassadors of the RCMP. They were our friends. They were our colleagues. Their deaths are a tangible reminder of the dangers inherent to policing.”
Commissioner Elliott presented RCMP Memorial mementos to the relatives of this year’s fallen members at a private ceremony held the evening before. The front of the memento—a lacquered sterling silver medallion—is engraved with the crest of the RCMP on a police badge with the fallen member's regimental number, all surrounded by maple leaves. The reverse side is engraved with rank, name and service dates.
For more information about the RCMP National Memorial Service, please visit the RCMP National Memorial Service web page (http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/depot/visitors-visiteurs/memorial-service-commemoratif-eng.htm).
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For more information, please contact:
Sgt. Alain LeBlanc
Communications and Events Management Services
RCMP “Depot” Division
phone: 306-780-6371
cell: 306-502-0193
