For the first time since his death, the family of Rod Lazenby spoke out about their pain on Wednesday.
The comments followed final arguments in the trial of the man accused of killing him.
They stood strong, bravely facing watchful eyes in a public funeral.
For over two years, they silently grieved the loss of a loving husband, father, brother and son.
But now the pursuit for justice made them ready to publicly express something not easy to articulate.
“There really are no adequate words to describe the pain, anger and despair that we are feeling,” said Robyn Halbert, Lazenby’s sister.
They tried to find a way to navigate through the sorrow.
“We have so many fond and proud memories of Rod,” said Halbert.
“His sense of humour, the stories he would tell, his devotion to his work and the love of this family.”
The former mountie had moved to High River to be closer to his grandchildren.
He was on the job working as a peace officer, responding to a dog complaint on the Priddis property of Trevor Kloschinsky.
An altercation transpired between the two men.
An autopsy revealed Lazenby was strangled to death.
“The reality is Rod is gone. He did not deserve to be taken from us so cruelly,” said Halbert.
And they became aware of the troubled history between Lazenby and Kloschinsky.
Watching a four-hour police interview in court, it revealed they had many disputes.
Kloschinsky was under the impression Lazenby was on his property illegally, and that he was stealing his dogs.
The video also showed him alluding to feeling targetted.
He pled not guilty – whatever the outcome, the victim’s family will not waver.
“We will continue to ask questions to push for change, so that this does not happen to another family,” said Halbert.
The verdict is expected on Thursday.
Comments