Forest ranger added to Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Honour Roll

An assistant forest ranger with the provincial government who died while in the line of duty recently received official recognition on the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Honour Roll during the 25^th annual National Memorial Day Ceremonies recently held in Ottawa. Carl George, an employee with the then Department of Forestry and Agriculture, died on August 5, 1975 as a result of a plane crash at Lac O�Keefe, Quebec just across the Labrador-Quebec border.

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods is responsible for conservation officers who conduct forestry and wildlife enforcement in the province. Minister Rick Woodford said he is extremely pleased to see Mr. George added to the Memorial Honour Roll.

"The National Memorial Day Ceremonies and indeed Mr. George being added to the Honour Roll should remind everyone of the inherent risks faced by our conservation officers as part of their day to day activities. Our conservation officers are very important to our department and to the province. We are indeed proud of all of the members of our professional enforcement team."

Minister Woodford said the department was pleased to be represented at this year�s ceremony by Mike Parsons, regional compliance manager in Corner Brook. "We were proud to have Mr. Parsons represent us at such an important ceremony."

Mr. Parsons, who was recently appointed as the Newfoundland and Labrador representative for the Canadian Peace Officer Memorial Association Selection Committee, thanked members of the selection committee for officially recognizing Mr. George and adding him to the Honour Roll. "As the representative for this province, I felt it was appropriate that he be granted the same recognition as other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," said Mr. Parsons.

The names of over 650 officers are engraved on the honour roll in a special location on Parliament Hill adjacent to the Memorial Pavilion. Previous police and peace officers from Newfoundland and Labrador inducted to the honour roll include: Gary Noseworthy (Forest Ranger - Department of Natural Resources) who died in the same accident as Carl George, Silus Baikie (Assistant Forest Ranger - Department of Natural Resources), 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.

Media contact:

Mike Parsons, Regional Compliance Manager, (709) 637-2919
Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6183

2002 11 04                                      11:00 a.m.