Saskatchewan remembers fallen police officers in annual memorial

Hundreds of people gathered outside the legislature to honour fallen members of Saskatchewan’s police forces in the annual police and peace officer memorial.

The annual memorial is held on the last Sunday of every September. In Saskatchewan, there are 60 names on the honour roll, dating back to 1877.

Staff Sgt. Grant Obst with the Saskatoon police service said the day is to ensure the memory of fallen members is never forgotten.

“In 2004 we ran the first edition and we’ve done it every year since,” Obst said.

“It’s important that we make sure their families, their loved ones and all the serving, retired officers keep that memory alive. Keep their sacrifice alive.”

Hoping to keep that memory alive, a group of 25 officers embarked on a two-day 300 kilometre journey from Saskatoon to Regina.

Saskatoon police service Const. Corri Dawn MacKenzie said despite the grueling weather conditions, the discomfort was minor compared to what others have endured.

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“Ride was really challenging, very wet, and windy the whole way,” MacKenzie described.

“The difficulty of the ride, when you think about why you’re doing it and why you’re riding, it’s momentary suffering really when we think about the families who are left without their family members.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The difficulty of the ride, when you think about why you're doing it and why you're riding, it's momentary suffering really when we think about the families who are left without their family members."

RCMP Cpl. Greg Doell laid a wreath to remember his brother at the service. His brother Murray Doell was a conservation officer who died in a helicopter crash 26 years ago.

He said the day brings back mixed emotions.

“It’s a difficult memory of course. Losing a loved one, your own brother… I’m very proud of what he did for us,” Doell explained.

Doell said the day acts as a reminder of the sometimes dangers officers face on a regularly basis.

“This day definitely does cause you to reflect.”