Five years.
It's hard to believe that so much time has passed since we lost three of our own. Cst. Doug Larche, Cst. Dave Ross and Cst. Fabrice Gevaudan were more than police officers, they were our friends, our family, our loved ones. There are days when they seem so close, when the grief and loss seem as fresh as that terrible day. Other days it feels as though it's been so long without them, so long since we were all changed and redefined by the experiences of June 4, 2014.
Doug, Dave and Fabrice, our injured officers Cst. Eric Dubois and Cst. Darlene Goguen, and every other frontline specialist and policing professional who responded that evening in Moncton, demonstrated our professionalism, our commitment and the specialized policing services we provide in keeping New Brunswick safe.
What happened on June 4th is something that is part of us now, something that will always be with us. We will never forget the fear and loss of that day, but we will also never forget the way the community came together, the resilience and courage shown by New Brunswickers, and the way they opened their hearts to support us and each other in our hour of need.
An attack on police officers, or any emergency responder, is an attack on the community itself. That sentiment became clear in the days that followed. You went out of your way to show us that our loss was also yours, and that you knew and were grateful for how our police officers put public safety above their own. People emerged from their homes in the early morning hours with signs thanking those who had done the job of protecting them. Porch lights lit up all over the city and beyond, carrying a message of solidarity and support that resonates to this very day.At our Codiac detachment, what started as a few flowers laid at the doorstep quickly became a community memorial. There were so many flowers, balloons, cards and pictures drawn by children that they blocked out the steps and the lawn. All carried the same simple message – Thank You.
This gratitude helped get our people through that dark time. New Brunswickers came up to our uniformed and non-uniformed employees on the street, in stores and at the local coffee shops to thank them, not just for the work done during this terrible time, but for the work they do each and every day. These simple words meant a lot.
Five years later, our communities are what bring purpose to our work, giving us the strength to face the most difficult of challenges and the hardest of times. Our communities are at the heart of everything we do, and we know we are also in your hearts.
You only have to visit the monument to the legacies of Doug, Dave and Fabrice at the Honour Garden in Riverfront Park to see that support and community pride. The monument is unlike any other in this country. The images of our three members have so many personal touches added to them. It's an effort to help remind those who visit that these men were not just exemplary police officers, but also devoted husbands, fathers and community members.
That support will be with us again in just a few weeks at the Three Fathers Memorial Run, bringing New Brunswickers together once again to remember our heroes, their lives and their ongoing legacy. The run, in memory of Doug, Dave and Fabrice, is another way we keep them with us and keep their families in our thoughts and prayers.
Five years ago, the social media hashtag #MonctonStrong quickly became a rallying cry to not let this terrible event define the community. We will never forget those who gave everything for their commitment and love for their community. Let us all continue to honour the legacy of Doug, Dave and Fabrice by doing our part in looking out for each other and helping keep our community safe.
Assistant Commissioner Larry Tremblay, M.O.M.
New Brunswick RCMP Commanding Officer