True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: May 2012
Reg.#23464, Sergeant D. G. Holmes
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
This is a short, personal tribute to a very, very special RCMP Veteran -- my thoughts are in memory of Dave Holmes, a friend whom I met in Charlottetown, PEI in 1970. Here was a police officer who was trustworthy. Here was a man who held no anger.
Prince Edward Island stands alone in the world -- 'The Garden of the Gulf' is identified with golf, beaches and sun. These three worthy pleasures add up to PEI - a unique place in Canada in which the RCMP's reputation remains strong.
But within the RCMP, 'L' Division is known for two other distinct reasons. First, members who are posted to PEI are the most fortunate of all because the RCMP family in 'L' Division is uniquely small. This tight community allows for a familiar, strong, bonding relationship among its members. No doubt this bond among members would be harder to detect in larger Divisions. Secondly, the size of the RCMP's jurisdiction is also small on the Island and this allows members to quickly orientate themselves to their Detachment area, and most importantly, have time left over to discover new and life long friends.
It makes no difference how the RCMP or Prince Edward Island is defined. Dave Holmes fell within any description of the RCMP or the Island -- he was an Islander from his high browns up to his eye brows. Scientists would gain nothing from examining Dave's DNA -- the single identifier would simply lead them directly back to the Island. He maintained RCMP friendships all throughout his career as well as throughout his retirement years. He enjoyed more friends on the Island than all the sun seekers lying on a popular Cavendish beach in July.
I can look back with vivid memories to my posting in 'L' Division beginning in August 1970. I didn't have to go looking for Dave Holmes. He found me. It was his habit to seek out new members and to ensure they were comfortable. When it was my turn after introducing himself, he invited me to his home for dinner and to meet his wife and family. His daughter, Debbie, a very loving little special needs girl and I became fast friends. Dave and I remained close during my three years on the Island. We often socialized with friends that we had in common -- I especially recall the Mahar family who were generous and kind.
Dave was known around the Detachment as a true police officer. He was also an interested and involved mentor for me. Not only did he know the Code, but he could also identify a probable suspect and most often his predictions were correct. The Canadian Legions on the Island can be thankful that Dave solved their B & E's -- he was able to return the money which had been stolen.
Although we never recovered any stolen liquor, we were convinced that the Atlantic Ocean floor was lined with thousands of empty bottles. I knew Dave to be very stern with suspects and prisoners but I recall that he never lost his temper or displayed any unprofessional action towards anyone in custody. Suspects knew Dave's character as being just and fair.
Dave received a Commanding Officer's Commendation on June 20, 1976. He and Reg.#23631, Donald R. James apprehended an armed and mentally disturbed PEI man. The incident began this way.
A young man living in St. Eleanor's Police Dept. jurisdiction was supposed to be in court but he failed to appear. Chief Bill Maxwell of the St. Eleanor's Police Dept. obtained a Warrant to Arrest and drove to the boy's home. When the Chief approached the boy's home, the boy opened fire on Chief Maxwell's police cruiser from a second story window. Chief Maxwell called Constable Holmes and Constable James for help.
The two RCMP members entered the house and apprehended the boy who had climbed on to a ledge outside the window on the second floor. He had a loaded shotgun with plenty of ammunition and he threatened to shoot at any police officers making any movement from across the street. In spite of the boy's warnings, Constables Holmes and James were able to subdue the boy without anyone getting injured. In spite of the intensity of their actions, I never heard Dave mention the incident. He wanted no accolades.
Dave and I were both intensely interested in the long, miraculously engineered Confederation Bridge which connected New Brunswick to PEI. After Dave retired, and while the Bridge was being built, Dave often called me to let me know about the progress of the Bridge. He once described the Bridge as an 'arc of steel protruding from PEI's rusty soil.' To both of us, Confederation Bridge was unimaginable. In the last ten years Dave became a strong supporter and volunteer for the Graves Discovery Program. I will miss his help.
Reg.#23464, (R'td). Sgt. David Garfield Holmes passed away on May 11, 2012 in Charlottetown, PEI. He joined the Force on April 3rd, 1964 and he served in 'L' and 'H' Division. Dave was born in St. Andrews not far from my home town of St. Stephen, NB. He retired on PEI on April 13th, 1994.
In his sad and unexpected message today, retired Mike O'Neil, President of the PEI VA said the following about his close friend Dave Holmes: '...Dave was a dedicated Veteran who worked tirelessly for our Association for many years. This was just the way that Dave was. He always placed the good of the Association first or foremost, and expected nothing in return for his tireless efforts. We are fortunate to have worked with and known him in that his passion and dedication to a responsibility that he accepted voluntarily made us better.
In the very early hours of Friday morning, May 11th, 2012, Dave passed away at his home with his friend, companion and wife, Betty, at his side. Dave has been in a long battle with cancer. Initially, his struggle was extremely difficult and we almost lost him to the rigours of the fight, but in his determined way, his spirit fought back. Dave returned home just a short while ago and was undergoing chemotherapy.'
Dave held the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the Vets Association from the year 1999 until 2010.
Dave's funeral is set for Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, at 10:00 AM. Father Eric Dunn will celebrate a Funeral Mass at Holy Redeemer Parish Church, 3 Pond Street, Charlottetown, PEI. An Honour Guard from RCMP, “L” Division will be present and under the command of S/S/M Larry Kavanagh.
The Island has lost a valuable friend. The Force has lost a very special, dedicated Ambassador.
I was very proud to have Dave as my friend.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
May 23, 2012
