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
BREAKING Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Plane overshoots runway at airport in St. John's, N.L., no injuries reported
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are headed to St. John's, N.L., after a plane overshot a runway at the city's airport this afternoon.
A teen was found buried in a basement in New York. An engraved ring helped police learn her identity two decades later
For more than two decades, the unknown victim was nicknamed "Midtown Jane Doe" because she was found in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood of New York City. But this week, investigators finally revealed her identity.