True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: April, 2025
Reg.#16586, Staff Sergeant Rodney Vallance Alcock
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Staff Sergeant Rodney Vallance Alcock died recently, but he left behind a long and distinguished career in Canadian policing marked by exceptional service and remarkable bravery.
R. V. Alcock was born in June, 1927. Friends and family called him "Val," a nickname that accompanied him through nearly a century of life devoted to service, family, and quiet resolve. He served faithfully during WWII, then he embarked on a career in Canadian policing.
Val's journey in law enforcement began on a December day in 1948 when, at 21, he first pinned on the badge of a Third Class Constable with the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP). Assigned to Grand Forks, B.C., Constable Val Alcock couldn't have foreseen that this first assignment would lead to a career spanning more than three decades.
When British Columbia's policing landscape transformed in 1950, Val adapted seamlessly. On August 15 of that year, the BCPP merged with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Constable Alcock exchanged uniforms and embarked on a new chapter that would carry him across the province he served with dedication.
Val's career unfolded against the backdrop of British Columbia's small communities — Chilliwack, Port Alberni and Prince Rupert. In each location, he established himself as a dependable police officer who fulfilled his duties with quiet competence. Val's courage shone brightest in Prince Rupert in November 1966. Confronting an armed and violent offender, then - Corporal Alcock displayed extraordinary bravery that earned him the RCMP Commissioner's Commendation in July 1967, honoring his valor in the face of danger.
The Northern Sentinel newpaper article dated July 26, 1967 cited the Commendation. According to the article, Cpl. Alcock received the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery, which was presented by Inspector E. R. Lysyk during a special ceremony for all members of the RCMP Prince Rupert Subdivision. The commendation was awarded for an incident that occurred in November of the previous year, when Cpl. Alcock disarmed and apprehended a 27-year-old fugitive, who had fired at Alcock from approximately five feet away during a pursuit on a downtown Prince Rupert street. Despite being shot at, Cpl. Alcock continued the pursuit and successfully apprehended the suspect.
As years passed, Val rose steadily through the ranks. By his retirement on December 8, 1982, he had achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving as Section NCO for Courtney Sub-Division. His 34-year career—two with the BCPP and 32 with the RCMP—took him from Third Class Constable to Staff Sergeant, a progression characterized by unwavering commitment to both the Force and the communities under his protection.
Beyond his career in policing, Val built a rich personal life. In 1949, he married Olive Okeson of Port Alberni, beginning a love story that lasted 61 years until her passing in 2010. Together, they raised a son, Rutherford 'Bud' Alcock, who followed his father into the RCMP, and a daughter, Sherri Lee Marks. Their family expanded to include eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, creating a legacy that reached far beyond Val's years of service.
Those close to Val remember a man who documented life meticulously, keeping journals of family activities and adventures. He devoured books and possessed a natural talent for repairing almost anything that needed fixing. After retirement, he launched a new venture, running his own Fishing Charter Service along the beautiful British Columbia coast.
One of Val's most impressive achievements came at age 72. With only a Grade 6 education, he returned to school and earned his Grade 12 diploma, even mastering computer science classes when many of his contemporaries avoided technology altogether.
On March 20, 2025, while residing in Parksville, BC, retired Reg.#16586, Staff Sergeant Rodney Vallance Alcock, answered his final call at the age of 97. He is remembered.
His family held a private ceremony with only invited guests. Val's legacy endures in the memories of his friends, the communities he protected, and the family who knew him not just as an RCMP officer, but as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Remembered with respect and gratitude, the story of 'Val' Alcock to those who knew him—exemplifies a life well-lived in service Canada and to others.
This short story about 'Val' Alcock was first researched by RCMP Veteran and Historian Jack White. Jack's story was revised by me with help from the Northern Sentinel newpaper article dated July 26, 1967 and from Val's obituary which was published by the RCMP Veterans' Association. The narrative structure, grammar, and readability were enhanced with assistance from an AI language model (Claude 3.7 Sonnet, April 2025).
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
April 7th , 2025
