True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: August, 2017
RCMP Commendations Justly Awarded
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Over recent years, severe and Canada-wide criticism of the RCMP has been persistent and relentless. Complaints have included; the very tragic death of a visiting immigrant at Vancouver’s International Airport, hundreds of harassment complaints by RCMP women, excessive use of force, complaints of torture not adequately investigated in the Arar case, and on and on. Like most Canadians, I too am bothered by all the bad publicity about the RCMP.
However, I am also cognizant that there are hundreds of good news stories about the RCMP and I think it's only fair to remind Canadians about the positive contributions over time made by its national police force.
The history of the RCMP and the history of Canada go hand in hand -- and it’s time for a good story to bepublished which shows the RCMP in a more favourable way. One only has to take a glance, for instance, at the number of RCMP who have been awarded official Commendations for acts of bravery, for saving someone's life, or for the good efforts and volunteer activities by the RCMP in the community in which they live and work. One can begin by glancing back at the RCMP many, many years ago. Here is a random sampling anda few grains of outstanding police work.
Under the command of Inspector Sam Steele, Reg.#716, Sergeant Donald McRae was detailed to help maintain law and order during construction of the CPR through the Rockies. He was a member of Steele's Scouts during the North West Rebellion (NWR) in 1885; and he was the only member of the NWMP wounded at the Battle of Frenchman's Butte on May 28, 1885. Steele later described the men of Steele's Scouts as "... collectively, the best body of men I have ever had anything to do with ..."
Sergeant MacRae suffered considerable discomfort from his wound and he was granted sick leave until his term of service expired in 1887. For all his devotion, he was subsequently granted a pension of .45 cents per day. As well, Sergeant McRae was justly commended with the North West Canada Medal accompanied with the Saskatchewan clasp.
At the turn of the last century, Reg.#1714, Donald Bennett Smith was awarded a Commendation. In 1904, he was transferred to Norway House, MB. in the midst of an outbreak of diphtheria and Scarlet Fever. Smith risked his own life by tending to the health needs of First Nations people while simultaneously actingas a medical doctor and as the undertaker.
In 1905, Smith was promoted to Sergeant in recognition of his genuine community efforts. In 1908, Smith also received $25 from the Fine Fund for his investigation of the burning of the SS "Premier" at Warren's Landing under very difficult circumstances. Sergeant Smith unselfishly gave of himself to others.
In 1909, Reg.#4245, Constable Robert Ensor, Reg.#1709, Constable John Nicholson and Reg.#4259, Constable Charles Martin were each awarded $100 from the Fine Fund. The trio arrested several thieves who had stolen cattle throughout the Red Deer, AB. district. In addition to the healthy financial reward, the NWMP team also received high praise and worthy commendations from the ranch owners in the area who had lost huge sums of money as a result of the cattle thefts.
In 1913, two prisoners escaped from the Moosomin Jail in southern Saskatchewan only to be re-captured on the American side of the border in Westhope, ND., by Reg.#5114, Constable Richards and Reg.#5434, Constable Wheeler. The NWMP team picked up the fugitives track in Manitoba and followed them into the USA. Local newspapers dubbed the arrests as an exciting and successful international chase. Later, the Officer Commanding, Inspector George L. Jennings was so impressed with the arrests that he penned a personal letter of congratulations to Constable Richards and Constable Wheeler expressing his deep appreciation for their successful capture of the two outlaws.
Reg.#10865, Sergeant William Robert Thompspn out stretched his reach of duty. In 1937, he was awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for, "...his outstanding performance during a search operation for the Canadian Department of National Defence", and in 1948, he was awarded a Commanding Officer's Commendation for, "...his excellent work and investigation of a airplane crash near Edmonton, AB".
Down through the years, the good work of the Force has continued as evident by other acts which also resulted in official police Commendations.
In 1988, Reg.#23868, Sergeant Dale Dichrow & Reg.#25825, Sergeant Tom Wagner earned Commissioner's Commendations for the rescue of the occupants of a burning house in Vancouver, BC. The two Sergeants were conducting surveillance on a building when they saw it ignite into fire, then they rushed into the blaze at their own risk and peril and succeeded in getting the occupants of the building outside and to safety. The RCMP Sergeants were also recipients of Official Commendations from the Vancouver City Police (VCP).
In 1992, Commissioner's Commendations for Bravery were awarded to Reg.#36148, Constable Brian Roach and Reg.#41194, Constable Bob Jones after the two RCMP rescued Donald Redhead under active and persistent gunfire conditions at the Shamattawa Reserve in northern Manitoba.
In 2004, Reg.#47796, RCMP Constable Chad Greig was assigned to Highway Patrol in Hope, BC when he encountered a woman apparently suicidal standing on bridge over the Fraser River. Assisted by Constable Kevin Page, Constable Greig succeeded in getting close enough to the woman to grab her jacket but she desperately tried to jump into the river below. In the midst of the struggle, the woman nearly dragged Constable Grieg over the bridge railing. She repeatedly beat on Constable Greig in an attempt to free herself from his grasp and jump.
Fortunately, two more RCMP rushed in to help even as the woman continued her struggle and jump to her death. The RCMP team were able to pull her to safety. In recognition of his actions under extreme circumstances, Constable Greig was awarded the Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery. Later, he was also presented the Medal of Bravery. The whole incident was mostly played down by the press.
Excellent police work by the RCMP deserves recognition including up to the present day. Years ago, Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout was taken hostage in Somalia and held prisoner for 460 days. Nine years later in 2015, the accused was lured to Canada on the premise that he would be offered moneyfor a book deal. Instead he was arrested in Canada.
The investigation was outstanding and international in scope; the operational plan involved undercover operations, surveillance and wiretaps. As a police organization proud of its past, and in this complex case too, the RCMP can be highly commended for their ingenuity and determination to bring the accused before the courts for trial. Congratulations to the RCMP.
All in all, the RCMP continues to perform their daily duties in a commendable and highly professional fashion, however, much of the good work by police officers very often goes unnoticed. And that is very unfortunate.
My sincere appreciation to BC Vet Don Klancher and to Vet Larry Burden for their contributions to this short piece.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
August 23, 2017
