Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005
Source: Cochrane Times (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Cochrane Times
Contact:  http://www.cochranetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1588
Author: Samara Cygman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rochfort+Bridge (Rochfort Bridge)

COCHRANE RALLIES AROUND RCMP

Cochrane Times -- While the country is reeling from the loss of four 
Alberta RCMP officers, shot in the line of duty, a detachment closer to 
home is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and condolences from 
residents in the area.

Cochrane Sgt. Mike McTaggart said while the members at his detachment are 
hurting, they are very appreciative of the encouragement they've received 
from the community.

"I should say the people of Cochrane have been extremely generous to us and 
have dropped off a tremendous number of flowers and baked goods and they've 
just been fantastic," said McTaggart. "Every member is affected when we 
loose one of our members. To loose four is a tragedy beyond comprehension, 
and it's taken a long time to sink in."

Four RCMP members from the Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt detachments were 
gunned down March 3 while guarding a marijuana grow operation in Mayerthorpe.

Cst. Peter Schiemann, 25 Cst. Lionide Johnston, 32, Cst. Brock Myrol, 29, 
and Cst. Anthony Gordon, 28, were shot and killed by 47-year-old James 
Roszko, who then turned the gun and killed himself.

Roszko had a reputation for shooting at trespassers who wandered onto his 
property and his violent tendencies were well-known to police.

McTaggart said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming and is 
helping officers in Cochrane deal with a tragedy that is far too close for 
comfort.

"Staff Sgt. Scott Beck's previous command was Mayerthorpe and he's really 
familiar with three out of the four. And Cpl. Steve Simpson was also from 
Mayerthorpe and he's familiar with the four as well. There's the personal 
element here since a lot of our members have had a personal attachments to 
those members," said McTaggart. "The mood here is subdued and our members 
are continuing to work away at Cochrane issues. We're looking at the 
funeral arrangements to allow as many of our members to go up there as 
possible but have to look at our staffing levels to make sure we maintain 
an adequate presence here."

In the meantime, he said everyone is "dealing with it in their own way" and 
sincerely appreciates the condolences received from the community.

He declined to comment on whether he believed proper procedure was followed 
but did say he was awaiting results of an investigation into the deaths.

"Certainly the armchair quarterbacks can 'what if'. But until the 
investigation is complete and we know exactly what happened, it's premature 
to comment on what occurred and what could have been done better. We just 
don't know," he said. "We're all very interested in hearing the details 
once the investigation is complete."

A national memorial service will be held March 10 at 1 p.m. at the 
University of Alberta's Butterdome Universade Pavillion.

More information can be obtained by clicking on www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom