Trees planted in Moncton neighbourhood in memory of slain RCMP officers

MONCTON -The wives of Moncton’s three fallen RCMP officers say a project to plant trees near where their husbands were killed is part of their healing process.

Nadine Larche and her family helped plant a maple tree along Hildegard Drive Saturday morning.

WATCH: Trees planted in memory of slain RCMP officers

“Planting trees is a sign of renewal so it’s nice to have all these trees planted along this street and its a silver lining,” she said.

The tree is part of groups of three maple trees planted at points along the street. They were planted to pay tribute to three RCMP officers who were killed and two others who were wounded near the spot on June 4, 2014.

The officers were responding to a gun-related call when they were shot by Justin Bourque. Larche’s husband, Const. Douglas Larche, was one of them.

“The number on my tree that was randomly selected was the number 74 which was the year my husband was born,” she said. “It was on his hockey jerseys and it was a really significant number and it just came out randomly and it was just meant to be.”

North-end residents raised over $50,000 to plant 125 trees along Hildegard Drive. Jeff Mowat was one of the organizers.

“It’s great we’re all coming together as a group and as we get together we feel stronger,” he said.

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He was among the residents of the neighbourhood who were caught in a lock-down and manhunt. The manhunt ended when Bourque surrendered to police after nearly 30 hours.

Rachael Ross’s Husband, Const. Dave Ross, also died. She said community support is helping them move on.

“It’s a positive way for everyone in the community to move forward and make things about taking back the community and not focusing on things that have happened that are hard for everyone,” she said.

Angela Gevaudan’s husband, Cons. Fabrice Gevaudanm, was also killed.

She was there to help plant a tree with the others.

“I think it’s something that reminds us that life is about…and it kind of pulls us into the present moment,” she said.

“It’s really important for us to feel supported and it’s been very, very helpful actually.”

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But the event wasn’t just about planting trees, it was also about thanking first responders.

Children handed thank-you cards to representatives for first responders including paramedics, the RCMP and the Moncton Fire Department.

Codiac RCMP Superintendent Paul Beauchesne accepted cards on behalf of police.

“They’re going to go into what we call the bullpen. It’s where all my front line police officers work out of,” he said. “I think that’ll give them the opportunity to go through this and each one in their own time to discover how the community has said their thank-yous.”