Pubdate: Fri, 11 Mar 2005
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Steven Addison
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rochfort+Bridge (Rochfort Bridge)

BE 'MORE APPALLED'

Forster White Rock's Staff Sgt. Wants Citizens To Lobby For Tougher Penalties

Heads bowed and eyes down, they brushed tears from their cheeks while 
standing semi-circle around a makeshift shrine at White Rock's RCMP detachment.

On a table underneath the Maple Leaf hanging limp at half staff, faces of 
four fallen officers stared stoically into the solemn crowd, made up of 
fellow Mounties in Red Serge and auxiliary police officers, firefighters 
and customs officers, city officials and a few citizens.

Together, they prayed for the young officers who a week earlier lost their 
lives in the line of duty.

Constables Peter Schiemann, Leo Johnston, Anthony Gordon and Brock Myrol 
were shot and killed March 3 during an investigation into stolen property 
and a marijuana grow operation on a farm northwest of Edmonton.

Their killer, James Roszko, a violent man with a criminal past, then killed 
himself.

Staff Sgt. Tom Forster called the killings a tragedy, and called on 
Canadians to speak up for tougher penalties against criminals.

Forster said it's a reminder to police not to become complacent with safety.

"Unless Canadians start becoming more appalled by what's going on I don't 
think it's going to change much," White Rock's top cop said later.

"For all the work the police do, it gets nullified by the courts... I think 
if anything good comes of this it's a reanalysis of what the justice system 
is about."

Mayor Judy Forster, who laid flowers at the base of the flagpole, said 
everyone should pray for the fallen officers, among the 203 Mounties who 
have died since the national police force was created 130 years ago.

"This is a very, very bad day for us all," the mayor said.

"We all mourn here...for our four fallen brothers-brothers who have put 
their lives on the line day in and day out.

"It will take years and years and years. It will be a lifetime of grieving, 
but I hope good will always come out of evil."

Carmel Joy brought her three young sons-Hunter, 9, Carson, 11, and Devon, 
12-to the ceremony. She's engaged to a White Rock firefighter, and two of 
the boys have Big Brothers who are police officers.

The tragedy struck a chord with the family.

"It was a shock at first...the thought of their safety and how easily and 
senselessly their lives were taken away from those police officers," Joy 
said after the ceremony.

"I just wanted my boys to see this."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom