Body of RCMP Const. Shelby Patton arrives in Wolseley
Residents of a Saskatchewan town lined the streets to show respect and mourning for Const. Shelby Patton, a six-year member of the Indian Head RCMP.
The body of Const. Patton, who was killed while on-duty, was transported to the funeral home in Wolseley, Sask. at around 12:15 p.m.
The casket of RCMP Const. Shelby Patton was transported through Wolseley, Sask. on Tuesday morning. (Stefanie Davis / CTV News)
The Saskatchewan RCMP asked residents of the town to line the streets, and wear red as a show of support.
Patton, 26, initiated a stop with a stolen truck in Wolseley around 8 a.m. local time Saturday. He was struck by the vehicle and later died at the scene.
“Today, RCMP employees stand by Cst. Patton’s family, friends and the communities he served and wear red to pay tribute to him,” Saskatchewan RCMP said on Twitter.
Hundreds of people from Wolseley and surrounding communities lined the community’s Main Street to honour the fallen officer.
Jack Hosler, who lives just outside of town, said although he didn’t know Const. Patton, he showed up to offer support to those who did.
“Just to show respect and gratitude to the police officers, to the community, for everybody across Canada and across the world,” Hosler said. “Something like this is such a tragedy. In a small town, you never think of things like this happening on your doorstep. It happens and you feel just terrible.”
Dozens of RCMP officers descended on the town as they escorted Const. Patton’s casket.
First responders from other communities also attended to pay their respects.
“It’s like a brotherhood we have around here. As firefighters, we’re always out there and when we need the RCMP, they’re there when we need them,” Sirayne Perkins, the fire captain of Cowessess Fire and Rescue, said. “I came out here to show my support and it kind of hits you every now and then because you’re close with the RCMP.”
Gerald Hill, the mayor of Wolseley, said the days since Const. Patton’s death have been surreal. He said community members feel like they’re walking in a dream.
“The community is pretty raw, pretty hurting. You can tell by the turnout that people wanted to pay tribute,” Hill said. “Support like this is what you see in a small town like Wolseley. We’re not unique, you can go to any small town in Saskatchewan and you’ll see the same kind of outpouring.”
The mayor said he was pleased with the turnout for the procession, adding he is honoured that Const. Patton’s casket came to the town of Wolseley.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said a private funeral service will be held by Const. Patton’s family and details of the service will not be made public.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.