True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: April, 2024
Reg.#3604, Constable Henry Albert Wilson
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Today, in spite of advances to be more open-minded, certain topics are still considered hot button, too contentious or taboo. In policing, death by suicide is a topic that for the most part has not been throughly addressed over the years. But, a rise of deaths by suicide within the RCMP is leading the RCMP to place a new focus on the subject.
As a police organization, the RCMP has experienced an alarming number of deaths by suicide. The exact statistic is not known, but in recent years, deaths by suicide have risen at an alarming rate, and it is now considered a major public health topic. In its February, 2024 issue, The Canadian HR Reporter which is published by The Conference Board of Canada advanced that, "RCMP members are far more likely to exhibit suicidal behaviour." (Wilson: p.1). The article's author Jim Wilson wrote, "Members of the RCMP have a far higher tendency to plan to end their life compared to the general public, according to a recent report." (Wilson: p.1). The purpose of this short piece is to survey a variety of cases of RCMP members who have died by suicide in the hope that the topic sees more light and no longer remains hush-hush. Police officers who die by suicide deserve compassion.
In 1887, Sergeant Major Thomas Lake died by suicide. He was reputed to be a highly professional police officer, and for many years he was a close chum of Superintendent Sam Steele. Thomas Lake was under the care of a doctor, and he had reported some major health issues, but physicians could not find a remedy to control his unbearable pain. In 1885, Constable Herbert Baker died by suicide at 'Depot' Divsion. It was reported that he was despondent over the loss of his wife. In 1891, Constable Alfred Byron died by suicide in Calgary, AB. Byron suffered from an abuse of alcohol which resulted in several discipline cases in Service Court. In spite of being given chances to redeem himself, Byron took his own life. Constable James McDowall had an exceptionally good reputation, but suffered from unbearable pain in his ear. He took his own life in 1915. McDowall was classified as temporarily insane. Constable John Worsley joined the RCMP in 1903, but he 'purchased his discharge' in 1906. Wosley then moved to the USA, where he joined the Long Beach, California Police Department as a Detective. In 1955 after he retired, he killed his wife of 6 years, then he used his revolver to die by suicide.
A sad incident in the police career of Reg.#3604, Constable Henry Albert Wilson led to his death by suicide. The double tragedy was first revealed in The Red Deer News (1909), and the story is summarized here.
Henry Wilson joined the RCMP in 1900. He was transferred to Innisfail, AB, and he soon established a good reputation with the town's people. He was considered a thoughtful friend. By 1908, Wilson's career was progessing favourably, and he was given permission to marry.
On December 25th, 1909, Wilson loaned the RCMP horse team to a friend, Mr. Ole Johnson. Mr Johnson was on his way to visit a friend when he lost control of the horses and he fell under the horses' hoofs. Although he was taken to the hospital in Red Deer, Mr Johnson died from his injuries. Constable Wilson fell into a state of shock when he heard the news of Mr Johnson's death.
Constable Wilson fully acknowledged that loaning the horses was contrary to RCMP Rules and Regulations, but later on Christmas Day, it was reported that he fell into a deep state of despair. Coincidentally, his wife was in the hospital, and he could not be consoled. Wilson blamed himself for the death of Mr. Johnson, and he felt that he was directly responsible for Mr Johnson's demise. On Christmas at midnight he died by suicide. The stress of the day's events were too much for him.
Constable Henry Wilson was buried in Innisfail, but until recently his grave was left without a marker. Through the efforts of Alberta Volunteer "Bear Hugs", and Veteran Affairs Canada Last Post Fund, his grave was given a marker in 2024.
Constable Wilson's FindaGrave Memorial is #121701297
The RCMP acknowledges that it can do more to improve the mental health of its police officers. In the meantime, the National Police Federation (NPF) has made recommendations to the RCMP aimed at improving mental health among its membership. (Wilson: p.1).
The Red Deer News, December 29, 1909.
Wilson, Jim. (2024). Canadian HRReporter. RCMP members far more likely to exhibit suicidal behaviour. September.
I am appreciative to Alberta Volunteer "Bear Hugs' as well as to Alberta RCMP Veteran Dennis Hawkins for providing the recent photograph of Constable Wilson's grave.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
April 23, 2024
