WATCH ABOVE: Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers with gun drawn during Wednesday’s Parliament lockdown
TORONTO – Canada’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Kevin Vickers, is being hailed as a hero for shooting the gunman who entered Parliament Hill Wednesday after having just killed a Canadian soldier at the National War Memorial.
In this video, Vickers is seen dressed in his traditional black robes walking calmly through the halls of Parliament moments after reportedly shooting Michael Zehaf-Bibeau Wednesday.
READ MORE: Cpl. Nathan Cirillo killed in Ottawa remembered as ‘proud soldier’
Armed security and police officers can be seen rushing past Vickers, as he appears to check a door.
Security officials can also be heard shouting during the frantic aftermath of the shooting.
Just after 10 a.m., Canadian reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was fatally shot by Zehaf-Bibeau while guarding the War Memorial in Ottawa. The gunman then seized a car before driving towards Centre Block on Parliament Hill.
The 58-year-old Vickers had been a member of the RCMP for almost three decades and his brother John told Global News Kevin has always been about “country and community.”
“He started out as a constable at 20 years of age and rose across the country in the force before becoming a Sergeant-at-Arms,” said John. “He’s always been about service to country and community and he certainly exemplified that today because when the nation called upon him today, he did what needed to be done.”
WATCH: Emotional standing ovation for Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers as House returns to work
The RCMP veteran is being celebrated around Ottawa as hero, and received a standing ovation in the House of Commons Thursday. The emotional Vickers nodded briefly to the applauding MPs, and after a speech, Prime Minister Stephen Harper walked over to shake Vickers’ hand.
Justice Minister Peter Mackay, tweeted earlier today “Thank God for Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers.”
During her opening address in the House Green Party Leader Elizabeth May praised Vickers as a “consummate professional.”
WATCH: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May honours Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers
“I think all of us always knew that our Sergeant-at-arms is a consummate professional, he’s more than a ceremonial figure,” said May that brought MPs to their feet. “And I know the finest thing we could do for him is let him go fly fishing on the Miramichi.”
Vickers, a native from New Brunswick, has been the Sergeant-at-Arms since 2006, and although considered a partly ceremonial role, he is also in charge of Parliament security.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Vickers said:
“I am very touched by the attention directed at me following yesterday’s events. However, I have the support of a remarkable security team that is committed to ensuring the safety of Members, employees and visitors to the Hill. Yesterday, during extraordinary circumstances, security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part of this team,” he wrote.
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