HALIFAX – Moncton’s mayor and the Superintendent of the Codiac RCMP both issued public statements on Saturday to thank the community for the outpouring of support in the days after the deaths of three RCMP officers.
Constables Doug Larche, Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan were shot and killed on June 4, prompting a manhunt for the alleged gunman that lasted for more than 24 hours.
A regimental funeral for the officers last Tuesday brought together thousands of mourners from across the country.
IN PHOTOS: Canada mourns fallen RCMP officers in Moncton shooting
“As we struggle to understand how and why this could have happened in our community, we must nevertheless find calm, peace and security in our lives, we must be resilient as a community and, in doing this we honour the memories of Doug, Dave and Fabrice,” wrote Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc.
“If this tragedy has temporarily shaken our spirit and our sense of security, it has shown the strength of our community, of caring and compassion. The actions of one individual will not define us as a community.”
READ MORE: Mayor George LeBlanc’s full statement
Supt. Marlene Snowman, Officer in Charge of the Codiac Regional Detachment, also expressed her appreciation for the community’s support. A growing tribute of flowers and gifts have been placed outside the RCMP headquarters in Moncton.
“You brought food, flowers, gifts, handmade cards, drawings and poems. You gave us hugs, pats on the back and you shook our hands. But the expressions of condolences and support for the RCMP didn’t stop there. It seemed like everywhere we went in Greater Moncton there was a sign, a billboard, a picture in a window all saying thank you,” she wrote.
“In times of grief and tragedy, it is our human spirit; our resilience; the connections that we have with our colleagues; our families and loved ones; and our community that help get us through tough times.”
READ MORE: Supt. Marlene Snowman’s full statement
The gifts of condolences will be collected on Sunday and carefully sorted. Some items will be preserved and shared with the families of the fallen officers.
Snowman also said three maple trees that were among the gifts will be planted at the officers’ homes.
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