'Hopes and dreams taken away': Victim impact statements read at sentencing hearing for slain RCMP officer

Family, friends and former colleagues of RCMP Const. Shelby Patton read victim impact statements to the court Friday at a sentencing hearing for Alphonse Stanley Traverse.

Patton was killed June 12, 2021 during a traffic stop in Wolseley, Sask. when he was struck by a stolen vehicle, which Traverse was driving.

Traverse pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in Sept. 2023.

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS  

First to read victim impact statements was Const. Patton’s mother, Melanie.

“I wanted to see how he would be old, as a father and how he would age,” she said with tears in her eyes. “That’s all been taken away.”

“So much hopes and dreams have been taken away,” she went on to say.

Patton’s widow Mari Grobler did not present her own statement in court. Instead it was read by Crown prosecutor Adam Breker

“As time has gone on, this is still with me,” the statement went on to read.

Family described the kind of person Const. Patton was and how hard his loss has hit them.

“Since the day he came into my life, he has been my life,” his father Ashley said in his impact statement. “The day we learned of Shelby’s death was the hardest day a parent could face.”

“Trying to carry on from that point has been unbelievably difficult,” he added.

“When think about my future, my brother won’t be there,” said his sister Kaela. “All I [have] left are his ashes to walk down the aisle [at my wedding] with.”

“There is a seat and a plate left at the table as if we hope he will walk through the door to join us,” she went on to say.

“I’m deeply saddened about the future without Shelby,” said Kaela’s partner Matthew Zimroz. “Our wedding or our kids, who will never be able to call [Shelby] uncle.”

“It hurts to breathe and tears are always there,” his mother said. “I cannot help but wonder what I have done to deserve this life sentence.”

Friends and former colleagues also presented impact statements.

Sask. RCMP Commander Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore described June 12, 2021 as a day forever etched in her mind.

Blackmore said she delivered the news to family and officers of Const. Patton’s death.

“When I delivered the news to [Patton’s wife], I saw her entire world collapse,” she said.

“Const. Patton was one of the young members I feel the need to protect,” Blackmore added. “But on that day, I couldn’t do that.”

Other officers who worked with Const. Patton at the time of his death or previously described him as a model Mountie.

Const. Ayron Zak trained with Patton at RCMP Depot Division in 2016.

“He was just 19 when our troop started but already so incredible,” she recalled. “He was the perfect fit for policing.”

“Shelby was always smiling,” said Const. Ariane Murihead, who used to work with Patton at the Indian Head detachment. “He loved being a Mountie. He was one of a kind.”

Patton was described by community members and friends as someone who made a huge impact on those around him.

The Town of Indian Head has named a park in his honour.

“This devastating event has sent a shockwave through our community,” said Mayor Steven Cole. “He was more than a uniformed officer [to our town].”

“His sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he added.

After the proceedings, Melanie spoke to the media.

“Having to read the victim’s impact statements was one of the hardest things we could do,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to prove how much we love Shelby.”

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TRAVERSE SPEAKS

Before adjourning the hearing, Associate Chief Justice Michael Tuchor allowed Traverse to speak.

“The only thing I can do is take full responsibility for my actions and accept the consequences,” he said.

He also addressed the Patton family.

“I sincerely and deeply apologize,” Traverse said holding back tears. “I will never forget and forever regret the heartbreak I have caused.”

SENTENCING

The Crown is requesting a life sentence to be handed down.

Breker argued there is extreme aggravation associated with the killing of police officer.

“An attack on a police officer is an attack on society itself,” he told the court. “[It] is the most serious crime in Canada.”

Defense lawyers are asking for 16 years.

“There is a difference between an intentional act and not,” said Traverse’s lawyer, Matthew Gould. “There are no excuses, but [he] has explicitly taken responisibility.”

“He should not – and can not – be sentenced as someone who intentionally killed Const. Patton because he did not,” Gould added.

The Associate Chief Justice Tuchor will make a final decision Feb. 29.