Thousands gather at Moncton funeral for 3 slain Mounties
Posted Jun 10, 2014 11:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A funeral procession for the three Mounties killed in the line of duty got underway Tuesday in Moncton with pipers and drummers leading a procession of mourners that included members of law enforcement from throughout Canada and the U.S.
Four RCMP officers on horseback followed, leading three hearses carrying the bodies of constables Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, Douglas James Larche and Dave Joseph Ross.
Members of the RCMP and municipal police forces, as well as correctional officers and U.S. border patrol officers were among those who marched in unison on their way to the Moncton Coliseum, where a funeral service was to be held. The RCMP estimated that about 2,700 people were taking part in the parade.
Public transit buses picked up officers in advance of the televised funeral service at 1 p.m., where Mayor George LeBlanc says between 5,000 and 7,000 police officers were expected.
Brenda Jaillet from Oromocto, N.B., said the shooting deaths have touched her husband, a retired RCMP officer.
“It’s a brotherhood,” Jaillet said outside the Moncton Coliseum. “What has affected these three members has affected him. It could have been him at any time during his career.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will speak at the service, and Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Gov.-Gen. David Johnston are also scheduled to attend.
So many people were expected to go to the service that six other sites in Moncton and four more outside the city have been set up where mourners can gather together. A public visitation service held Monday drew hundreds of people.
Gevaudan, Larche and Ross were gunned down Wednesday evening after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood in the northwest area of Moncton.
Two other officers — constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen — were wounded and have been released from hospital.
The shootings and the ensuing 30-hour manhunt for the alleged killer brought the city to a standstill until an arrest was made just after midnight Friday.
Gevaudan, 45, originally of the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt, was remembered in his obituary as an advocate of women’s rights who adored his wife and “Twin Flame,” Angela, and stepdaughter Emma.
The obituary for Larche, 40, of Saint John, N.B., says he died while working as a plainclothes officer who “without fear or hesitation ran towards danger to protect his community and family.” He leaves behind his wife Nadine and three daughters, Alexa, Laura and Mia.
Ross’s obituary says the 32-year-old dog handler died doing what he loved. He is survived by his wife Rachael and son Austin, with another child expected in the fall.
LeBlanc said the officers’ families have suffered an unimaginable loss. Moncton, too, will need time to recover, he said.
“I hope that (the funeral) will be a step toward a journey of healing for the community,” he said.
Justin Bourque, 24, of Moncton is facing three charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is scheduled to be in provincial court July 3.
1310News reporters Adam Burns and Jason Chevrier are covering the funeral for the three fallen RCMP officers in Moncton. Chevrier will be at the funeral and Burns will be at a cathedral nearby.
