Executive Council
June 4, 2015
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Premier Acknowledges Anniversary of Moncton Tragedy
Mr. Speaker, on June 4, 2014, a tragic event unfolded in Moncton, New Brunswick, which resulted in the deaths of three members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and injuries to two others.
On the first anniversary of that tragedy, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to once again offer our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those officers who lost their lives.
As well, I’d like to offer our support to those two officers who survived.
The officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day were:
Constable David Ross;
Constable Fabrice George Gevaudan; and
Constable Douglas James Larche
The two officers who were injured, but fortunately survived were:
Constable Éric Stéphane J. Dubois; and
Constable Marie Darlene Goguen.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to being outstanding police officers, all three constables who died that day were also fathers and husbands. All three were integral members of their communities. All three are greatly missed.
To mark the anniversary of the event in Moncton and to commemorate and acknowledge those officers who died and were wounded, staff with our local RCMP B Division have established a memorial display at their headquarters in St. John’s. As well, Assistant Commissioner Tracy Hardy is in New Brunswick today on behalf of her officers from this province to participate in a number of events.
Mr. Speaker, tragedies such as this reinforce just how dangerous the nature of police work is. In Newfoundland and Labrador we have hundreds of officers patrolling our communities each day working to make this province as safe as possible for all residents. They do so at great risk and each day they leave their homes, there is no guarantee they will return.
Since 1861, 20 police and peace officers in this province have lost their lives in the line of duty. That is 20 too many. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports our police and peace officers and we acknowledge the important work they do in circumstances that are often challenging, unpredictable and dangerous.
Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by the events in Moncton last June as well as with all police and peace officers who work diligently to ensure that this province remains one of the greatest places in which to live, work and raise a family.
Thank you.
2015 06 04 1:55 p.m.