True and Fascinating Canadian History

Fortieth Anniversary of Women in the RCMP

1974 - 2014

A Very Special Recruit & Friend

Troop 36 -- An All Women's Troop

And

The First in RCMP History

Constable Joanne Gale Horn

by J. J. Healy

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A pencil remains a popular device for writing and for making notes. So much the better if the pencil has an eraser because humans are prone to make mistakes which require correction. But, that's here on earth.

In the presence of God, or in heaven, mistakes are not possible because everything having to do with God is classified as strictly perfect. Mistakes are out of the question. If one has a choice between writing tough exams on earth or in the presence of God, personally I'd opt for the latter.

To be abundantly clear, I am not the original author of any thought about heaven but God's home does give consolation to many people especially those who have lost family or friends to death. I was very sad when I heard of Joanne Horn's death.

Joanne was born in Kamsack, SK in 1955. I first met her in 1974. She was one of the very first women to join the Force -- she was in Troop 36 and I was her Troop Supervisor. Troop 36 was the second all women's Troop to ever join the Force. Joanne was one of the Force's originals.

Joanne was an original for another reason too. She was a very independent young woman and this trait made her unique. She established her identity very early at 'Depot'. On the one hand, being assertive can make a recruit stand out at 'Depot' but on the other hand, originality and independent thought can lead to one's success. Joanne's academic marks at 'Depot' were superior.

I admired Joanne because she made no apologies for her straight forward thinking. She was very determined. But, I also saw her kind and thoughtful side. She could not hide her gentle qualities. Her personality traits were well blended and I believe that she would have been very successful in the Force. Joanne Horn was not a willy-nilly woman. And she died far too early.

Joanne graduated from 'Depot' in 1975 and not long afterwards she was involved in a car accident in Saskatchewan. The accident left her incapacitated. As time passed, her physical condition did not improve. She was given a Medical Discharge from the Force in 1979. Afterwards, she was cared for to a large degree by her mother at the Waverly Care Center in Chilliwack, BC.

After Joanne's accident, a network of RCMP Vets kept in contact with me especially about her condition. One day, I received an unexpected call from a friend in Chilliwack that she had passed away. It was April 21, 2005.

Joanne was among the first woman to join the Force and she was among the first in her Troop. She was easy to admire and very easy to like. It was an honour to know her.

She is remembered. In heaven too. That's a thought that one cannot erase.