Saskatchewan Police Memorial Ride to Remember ends in Regina
Members of various police services in Saskatchewan took part in this year’s “Ride to Remember,” an annual bike ride in memory of those lost in the line of duty.
This year’s iteration of the commemorative event began at the headquarters of the Saskatoon Police Service on Sept. 22.
The journey was made by bicycle with stops in Humboldt, Mantiou Lake, Moose Jaw and finally Regina on Sept. 25.
For Sgt. Maria Rupcich of the Regina Police Service (RPS), the event holds a strong meaning for all those in uniform.
“It’s very important that we remember our officers who have lost their lives, to some tragic circumstances in the line of duty,” Rupcich said.
“As well we ride for the ones who have lost their struggle with mental health, and those who continue to struggle with mental health.”
The ride consisted of 447 kilometers according to the Ride to Remember website.
Once the cyclists reached Regina, “The Parade of Officers” started at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
The parade then travelled down Albert Street to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building where a wreath laying ceremony took place at 11 a.m.
One of those wreaths was dedicated to Constable Shelby Patton, who was killed on duty on June 12, 2021 in Wolseley, Sask. while conducting a traffic stop.
“You know it was a great honour to have his widow [Patton’s] here,” Casey Ward, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, told CTV News.
“But when you look at the program, I always like to see 10-20 years in-between those names.”
The event both commemorated those in uniform lost in the line of duty, and offered a venue of support for those affected by the high demands of policing.
“The pandemic took a toll on everyone and especially our first responders that continually had to go to work every day,” Ward said.
“So, for us to be able to show up and gather together and support each other and support our members that paid the ultimate sacrifice is great.”
The event was not solely made up of uniformed officers. Members of the public were present as well. According to Sgt. Rupcich, the displays of support from the public were gratefully received.
“People honking or we have non-police officers riding with us, and the appreciation sometimes we forget that the public has for us is phenomenal and an incredible reminder that it is out there for us,” she said.
The federal government established the last Sunday of September as the Canadian Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day in 1998. The day was later established in Saskatchewan in 2003.
The Ride to Remember movement began in Ontario’s Niagara region in 2000, when a group of police officers began a bike ride to Ottawa in order to commemorate their fallen comrades.
The ride only takes place in Saskatchewan and Ontario according to the event’s official website.
2022 marks the seventh running of the Saskatchewan Police Memorial Ride to Remember.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.