Prime minister, Sask. premier mourn death of RCMP officer killed on-duty
Officials and community members from Saskatchewan and across Canada are sharing messages of mourning after an RCMP officer was killed on-duty Saturday.
“Very sad news from Saskatchewan tonight,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter. “Sending my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of [RCMP] officers Shelby Patton – know that I’m keeping you in my thoughts.”
Const. Patton, 26, initiated the stop with a stolen truck in the town of Wolseley, Sask., around 8 a.m. local time Saturday. He was struck by the vehicle and later died at the scene.
Two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested around 10 a.m. on Saturday in connection with the incident. Police say the suspects remain in custody.
“It is with tremendous sorrow that Saskatchewan mourns the loss of RCMP Constable Shelby Patton, who was killed in the line of duty this morning,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wrote on Twitter. “Our grief is only matched by our tremendous gratitude to Constable Patton for his service, and to every police officer who serves and protects us every day.”
“I extend my condolences to all who knew and loved Constable Patton,” Jagmeet Singh, Canada’s NDP leader wrote.
A COMMUNITY MOURNS
Jeff Slinn an intermediate care paramedic with Indian Head Ambulance, called Patton “a friend to many.” He described his relationship with Patton as mostly professional, but said they played on a community slo-pitch team together.
“It’s a small community as far an Indian Head and the surrounding area,” Slinn said. “We’re all one family, we work very close with police on a day-to-day basis, they’re here to protect and serve us and they do that job every day.”
In Indian Head, Sask. where Patton was a member since 2015, a growing memorial of flowers can be seen outside the RCMP detachment.
Slinn, who has been with Indian head Ambulance for 21 years, said he felt compelled to bring his children to the growing memorial for Patton.
A memorial of flowers grows outside the RCMP detachment in Indian Head, Sask. in memory of Const. Shelby Patton. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)
A memorial of flowers grows outside the RCMP detachment in Indian Head, Sask. in memory of Const. Shelby Patton. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)
“I think it’s important for the community and our kids to understand what the RCMP do for us, and what they sacrifice to be here,” Slinn said.
“He’s a good man.”
The mayor of Wolseley described a state of shock in the community on Saturday evening, after the incident.
Wolseley Mayor Gerald Hill explained the situation is difficult to comprehend, especially for an officer early in his career.
“Way too young, not old enough. Just starting out, just starting out,” Hill said to CTV News.
Mounties say an increased police presence is expected in the areas around Wolseley and Francis as the investigation continues.
Flags at detachments around the province will be lowered at half-mast until his funeral.
Many in the law enforcement community across the country have shared their condolences online.
“Thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the [RCMP officer] lost in the line of duty today,” Evan Bray, Chief of the Regina Police Service tweeted. “On behalf of all us [at Regina police] we stand beside you and offer support through this difficult time.”
“Our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of RCMP Constable Shelby Patton,” Edmonton Police wrote.
“We grieve the tragic loss of [Const.] Shelby Patton,” tweeted the Halifax Police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.