True and Fascinating Canadian History
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A Mystery of the Mountie:
And A Commissioner Declared Broke
by J. J. Healy
Maurice Jean Nadon, the sixteenth Commissioner of the RCMP was appointed to the top post on January 1st, 1974 and he served until his retirement on August 31, 1977. Born in Mattawa, Ontario, Maurice Nadon joined the Force in 1941 -- he rose through the ranks and was well known as the first and only French Canadian Commissioner. Commissioner Nadon served Canada from coast to coast and in all aspects of Canadian policing and his view of the RCMP was broad, forward looking and optimistic. Maurice Nadon was the Commissioner when Canadian women were first allowed entry into the RCMP in 1974.
RCMP Veterans of a certain age will recall that Commissioner Nadon had a very warm and generous personality. While it is true that everyone knew that he was the Commissioner, Maurice Nadon had both feet planted firmly on the ground -- his start in life was very humble, and he was equally comfortable with his Constables on the street as he was with senior RCMP Officers in the boardroom or with bureaucrats downtown.
Commissioner Nadon retired in 1977, and he and his wife continued to live in Ottawa. In winter, he maintained his membership at the Curling Club and he could often be seen in the midst of his chums on the ice or having lunch. In the summer, Commissioner and Mrs Nadon migrated to their cottage which was located in the rolling hills and lake district just north of Peterborough, Ontario. And cottage district was the location for this little story titled: "A Mystery of the Mountie And A Commissioner Declared Broke". The story may hold a little lesson for all police officers.
It was the summer of 2004. Cathy and I had rented a cottage for a couple weeks in lake country near Haliburton, Ontario. One day, we decided to do some grocery shopping -- the fridge was getting low on milk and vegatables. We drove into Haliburton and parked near the Grocery Mart. Cathy made her way to the fresh fruit aisle while I bought a coffee and The Globe and Mail. "Why not check out some world news", I thought to myself, "while Cathy is pinching the firmess and freshness of the apples and oranges?"
It might have been my past experiences as a Constable on the Harley motorcycle, or my observation skills which were sharpened after years on Highway Patrol, but as I glanced out into the sea of grocery shoppers, I could hardly not notice a man holding hands with my wife. The two of them were laughing aloud, and I must confess that I felt a little cold and left out. I'm not the jealous type, but I decided to saunter over to the vegatable department and check out the hombre who was quite friendly with my wife.
Lo and behold, but as I approached the out loud laughing duo, it was Commissioner Nadon. And to be quite honest, I was very relieved as Commissioner Nadon was a man to be fully trusted in all matters having to do with policing or otherwise. He also greeted me warmly and he was deeply pleased to recognize Cathy and me. Commissioner Nadon owned a cottage nearby. We shared several minutes with him getting caught up all our lives, then Cathy and I said good-bye to the Commissioner.
A few minutes later, Cathy and I found our way to the grocery checkout, but I couldn't help but notice that Commissioner Nadon seem to be stalled in the line up. He was in a state of anxiety. I walked over to him, and I asked him if Cathy and I could help. "Commissioner", I said, 'What's the problem?" He said, "Joe, I can't find my wallet, I had it earlier, but I've lost my wallet!"
I frisked Commissioner Nadon up and down a couple of times, but he was as clean as a newly issued Smith & Wesson Service Pistol just in from the factory. I asked for his car keys, and while Cathy stayed with Commissioner Nadon, I ran out to the parking lot and searched his car. "Nope", I said, "it's clean too." I could see that Commissioner Nadon was very worried, so Cathy kept reassuring him that the situation wasn't too bad, after all Cathy explained, "Joe and I can afford to pay for your groceries."
After leaving the grocery store, Commissioner Nadon asked me to walk over to the bank to report the loss of his wallet and his credit cards. He was sure that he had his wallet when he had bought an ice cream just earlier in the day. At this particular moment, however, the Commissioner did not have enough money to pay for his supper. This Commissioner was declared flat broke.
Commissioner Nadon and I paid a visit to the bank. He reported the loss of his wallet and the bank quickly put stops on his credit cards. After the bank, Cathy and I decided to walk with Commissioner Nadon and retrace his steps because he might have dropped his wallet and someone might have picked it up and was looking for its owner. But, after several minutes, we had no luck. I dreaded to think of the predicament we found ourselves in, but Cathy and I were holding company with a Commissioner declared down and out. He was broke. And I knew there was more trouble just ahead for the Commissioner.
Cathy and I walked back to the grocery store and we found the Commissioner's car. As he slid into the front seat, I said, "But, Commissioner, you can't drive, you don't have a driver's licence"! "Oh, that's right", he said. "Joe, I'm really in trouble, but I've got a roast in the oven at the cottage, I've got to get back before its toast." At that particular moment, my mind drifted back to my days on Highway Patrol.
"Well, Commissioner, I think I have a solution. "Why don't you drive your car back to the cottage and Cathy and I will follow in our car. I'll be your escort and I'll vouch for you if you get stopped by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for no driver's licence...it's been my experience that the OPP are quite reasonable and they might let you off with a verbal warning." In truth, Commissioner Nadon saw the humour of his situation, and we did have a little laugh.
In a moment or two, we were on the road and heading in the direction of the Commissioner's cottage. There was no sign of the OPP. Upon our arrival, I said "Let's pop quickly into the cottage Commissioner, and see if your wallet is in your bedroom."
Commissioner Nadon opened the door of his cottage and we all shouted out with glee. His wallet was sitting on the kitchen counter where he had left it. It was safe and sound. Commissioner Nadon called his bank. The mystery of the Commissioner once declared broke and his missing wallet was solved.
Commissioner Nadon was so happy and relieved with the discovery of his wallet that he invited Cathy and I to stay for dinner. A sad day turned into a very memorable day for all of us. We were in the company of a very generous, relaxed and affectionate Commissioner Nadon.
There's a wee reminder here for all police officers. Let's all try to be patient with older folks. From time to time a little forgetfulness could happen to any one of us.
Commissioner Maurice Jean Nadon died in 2009. He was buried in the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery in Ottawa, ON. He is missed.
The end.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. Healy
December, 2016
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