True and Fascinating Canadian History
RCMP Detachment Memorial
Surrey, BC
The Surrey, BC Detachment RCMP Memorial
by
Ric Hall & Sheldon Boles
Vets Vancouver, BC
The first RCMP killed on duty at Surrey Detachment was:
Then, in the mid-1970's, three members were killed in the line of duty within 17 months of each other:
Reg.#27160, Constable John Draginda - September 29, 1974 and, Reg.#25163, Constable John Baldwinson - October 28, 1975.
Shortly after Constable Baldwinson's death, it was decided to construct a four sided Fallen Members' Memorial. A bronze plaque was mounted on each side of the memorial. Each of the member's name were listed as well as the circumstances of their death. The Memorial was originally located near the front entrance to the old Cloverdale Detachment.
With the untimely death of:
November 13, 2012. There was no place to mount Constable Oliver's bronze plaque on the original Detachment's Fallen Members' Memorial. So, it was decided by the Detachment's Senior Command to create a new Memorial to accommodate Constable Oliver's name as well any other members killed on duty in the future.
The new Memorial is now complete. It is situated at the front entrance to Surrey Detachment. The Memorial is a sure and fitting tribute to the five RCMP members who dedicated their lives to the citizens of Surrey, BC.
