When a Soldier Falls: Reviewing the Response to MCpl Rick Wheeler's Accidental Death

Table of Contents

Foreword

Executive Summary

Report Summary

1 Introduction

2 Inadequate Attention – Christina Wheeler

3 The Investigation of Investigations

4 General Observations on Appearances

Note to Readers

Military Ranks and Titles

Introduction and Summary of the Facts

1 Introduction

1.1 Complaints

1.2 Investigation

2 Summary of the Facts

2.1 Background Information

2.2 Exercise Surging Rage

2.3 The Exercise and Fatal Accident

2.4 Post-Accident Investigation

2.5 The Summary Investigation

2.6 The CF and MCpl Wheeler’s Family

2.7 Events between the SI and the BOI, 1992–97

2.8 The BOI

2.9 After the BOI

Analysis of the Events of April 7, 1992

3 The Exercise and Fatal Accident

3.1 Overview of Exercise Surging Rage

3.2 Events of April 7

3.3 Analysis

3.4 Analysis and Observations

Investigation of Deaths in the CF

4 Initial Investigations of Deaths and Serious Injuries

4.1 Investigations into MCpl Wheeler’s Death

4.2 Analysis of the Initial Investigations

4.3 Summary Investigations

5 Investigative Training

5.1 Analysis

5.2 Provision of Specialist Investigative Advice to BOIs

Families of CF Members Who Die On Duty

6 Treatment of the Wheeler Family

6.1 Notification of Mrs. Wheeler

6.2 Analysis and Recommendation: Notification of Mrs. Wheeler

6.3 Notification of and Support to MCpl Wheeler’s Father

6.4 Liaison with Mr. Wheeler

7 The Flow of Information between the CF and Christina Wheeler

7.1 Immediately after the Accident

7.2 Summer 1992 to Fall 1997

7.3 Events Leading up to the BOI

7.4 The BOI (1997)

7.5 After the BOI

8 Bill Wheeler and the DND/CF

9 The Need for an Institutional Approach to Getting Information to Families

9.1 Support and Information during Criminal Investigations

9.2 Assistance in Dealing with Provincial Authorities

9.3 Providing Information to Families and the Application of to the Access Information  and Privacy Acts

9.4 Participation of Families in the BOI Process

10 Ongoing Support to Mrs. Wheeler

10.1 Complaint

10.2 Sequence of Events

10.3 Analysis and Recommendations

10.4 Requirement for a National Policy on Support to next of kin

10.5 Compensation to Mrs. Wheeler

Treatment of LCol (retd) Lapeyre

11 LCol (retd) Lapeyre’s Complaints

11.1 Introduction and Summary of Complaints

11.2 The DND/CF Investigation of LCol (retd) Lapeyre’s Complaints

11.3 Analysis of LCol (retd) Lapeyre’s Treatment by the DND/CF

11.4 Overall Treatment of LCol (Retd) Lapeyre by the DND/CF

Appendix A: Summary of Recommendations

Appendix B:List of Acronyms

Appendix C: Complainants’ Response to Interim Report

Appendix D: DND/CF Response to Interim Report

Appendix E: Other Responses to Interim Report by Interested Parties

Appendix F: Letter to the Minister of National Defence