The regimental service for an RCMP officer who died in a traffic crash Dec. 13 will be on Friday, and the public is invited.
Manitoba RCMP said the public and members of the media are “invited to join the family of Constable Allan Poapst and the law enforcement community as they celebrate his service and mourn his death.”
The funeral will happen at 11 a.m. on Dec. 20 at Bell MTS Place. The doors at Portage Avenue and Donald Street will open at 10 a.m. and guests should be seated by 10:45 a.m.
RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre told 680 CJOB that large crowds of police from across North America are expected to be there in person to pay their respects.
“We’re probably anticipating anywhere, realistically, from 400-500, possibly a thousand officers from across the country,” he said. “A lot of our U.S. counterparts will be coming up.
“We’ll have a march. We’re going to gather at the Convention Centre and then we will walk behind the coach to show our support for his family.
“He’s our colleague that we lost, and it’s just to show that we care about him, and this is how we want to respect him.”
Poapst, a father of three teenage girls, died after a two vehicle T-bone crash just east of Route 90 and the Perimeter Highway during a snowy afternoon. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
“He was a dedicated officer who worked hard to serve Manitobans. In fact, after graduating from depot in 2006, all of his service with the RCMP was spent within Manitoba. His postings included Portage la Prairie, Powerview, and the court liaison unit based out of Headingley,” reads a statement from Jane MacLatchy, the Manitoba RCMP’s commanding officer.
“He was well liked by members across the force and a massive Blue Bombers fan. He recently realized a dream when he attended the Grey Cup game in Calgary, and watched his beloved Blue Bombers win — bringing the Cup back to Winnipeg.”
He was just a few days shy of completing 13 years with the RCMP.
“Over the last few days, the Manitoba RCMP has received a tremendous amount of support, kind gestures, and thoughtful messages from the public, law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers across Canada, as well as from our municipal partners and local businesses. We are truly humbled by this outpouring of support,” reads a statement from the Manitoba RCMP.
Those wishing to pass along condolences can email RCMP.Condolences-Condolences.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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