Department represented at national memorial day ceremony

Police and peace officers from Newfoundland and Labrador were recently honoured during Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day ceremonies held in Ottawa. The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods was pleased to be represented at this year's ceremony by Mike Parsons, a regional compliance manager based in Corner Brook. The department is responsible for conservation officers who conduct forestry and wildlife enforcement in the province. 

Mr. Parsons said this year's ceremony was particularly significant given the tragic events of September 11 in the United States. "The level of representation was very impressive with over 5,000 uniformed officers from across Canada in attendance. It was obvious that the recent tragedy in the United States had a profound impact on everyone in attendance including the 10,000 people who turned up to view the parade and memorial service."

Mr. Parsons added: "The sense of appreciation, gratitude and pride expressed by the public for the sacrifices made every day by police and peace officers across our country was quite evident."

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford said we should always be mindful of the important work our conservation officers do in the line of duty. "These individuals are very important to our department and to the province, and my department was proud to have Mr. Parsons represent us at such an important ceremony. We should always be grateful for their dedication and hard work, and especially for the sacrifices they make each day to keep order in our province." 

The names of approximately 600 officers are engraved on the honour role in a special location on Parliament Hill adjacent to the Memorial Pavilion. Included on this honour roll are two peace officers from Newfoundland and Labrador who, at the time of their death, worked for what was then known as the provincial Department of Natural Resources. 

Gary Noseworthy, a forest ranger with the Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources, died while on duty in a plane crash on August 5, 1975, approximately 25 miles from Labrador City. Mr. Noseworthy, who was from Labrador City, was only 19 years old at the time of the accident.

Silus Baikie, an assistant forest ranger with the Newfoundland Department of Natural Resources, drowned while on duty on September 16, 1969. Mr. Baikie, who was from North West River, was involved in a boating mishap on Lake Melville where he was taking part in a wildlife patrol. He was 42 years old at the time.

Both Mr. Noseworthy and Mr. Baikie were inducted to the honour role on September 29, 1996. The memorial honour role was established in March 1994 for police and peace officers. In 1995, the memorial honour role was expanded to include other law enforcement agencies, namely Natural Resources, Customs and Excise, Fisheries and Oceans, and Conservation. 

Other Newfoundlanders who are members of the honour roll include William Moss (RNC), Danny Cochrane (Newfoundland Rangers), Joe Tremblett (DFO) and Calvin Swyers (Fisheries and Oceans Canada).

The Government of Canada declared a National Memorial Day in 1998. It provides an opportunity each year to formally express appreciation for the dedication of police and peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Photo #1: Mike Parsons, Regional Compliance Officer with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, stands next to the honor roll on Parliament Hill. (October 24, 2001)

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183 or Craig Renouf, (709) 637-2923.

2001 10 24                         1:45 p.m.