A sea of red and blue filled the Langley Events CentreB次元官网网址檚 arena bowl on Wednesday, Oct. 4 as thousands of RCMP officers and municipal police gathered, along with family and friends, to pay tribute to Const. Frederick OB次元官网网址橞rien, who was killed in the line of duty last month.

Following a procession featuring several thousand first responders in their dress uniforms, the funeral at the LEC began with four officers, three carrying sabres, marching in with the Guidon, the regimental flag of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to be draped at the front of the stage.

OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 coffin, draped in a Canadian flag, was led in by a chaplain, and carried by eight pallbearers in red serge.

His widow, Nicole Longacre-OB次元官网网址橞rien, followed along with the coupleB次元官网网址檚 children, each of them carrying a white rose, along with other family members and RCMP officers.

The coffin was carried through an arena that held approximately 6,000 people, the stands filled with silent first responders, including hundreds of RCMP officers in their red serge jackets and stetsons, along with municipal police from across the province, and other first responders. The family placed the roses on the coffin.

B次元官网网址淭his is a challenging moment, but this place is filled with a lot of love,B次元官网网址� said Ridge Meadows RCMP Chaplain Greg Dalman.

He noted the presence of OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 father and sisters among the mourners, as well as colleagues who were there to support the family.

B次元官网网址淩ick had worked his way into your hearts and lives, to leave a lasting impression,B次元官网网址� Dalman said.

Before joining the RCMP, OB次元官网网址橞rien was an education assistant, a mental health worker, and a youth worker. His choice to become an RCMP officer took place when he was in his 40s.

His family and friends remembered him a someone with a boundless desire to help others, especially children and the vulnerable.

He had a love of sports, especially the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Blue Jays, of sarcastic humour, and of Led Zepplin.

Family friend Stephanie Porter read a message from his wife, Nicole Longacre-OB次元官网网址橞rien.

B次元官网网址淗ow do I ever imagine life without you, when our whole life was planned around being together and watching the kids grow up?B次元官网网址�

She mentioned that the day of his funeral was the day they had planned to leave on a long-planned vacation for just the two of them.

With their blended family of six children, he took all of her children under his wing and loved them like they were his own, Longacre-OB次元官网网址橞rien wrote.

B次元官网网址淲e really did fit a lifetime of adventures into the last 11 and a half years,B次元官网网址� she wrote.

B次元官网网址淵ou are my forever love.B次元官网网址�

His friend and training officer Cpl. Pete Westra remembered OB次元官网网址橞rien as kind and compassionate, including visiting multi-barrier youth and schools in uniform.

B次元官网网址淗e cherished all the positive interactions he had with youth,B次元官网网址� Westra said.

When a file came up involving a vulnerable victim, OB次元官网网址橞rien would speak up quickly, but would accept in a grumpy voice, saying B次元官网网址淔ine, IB次元官网网址檒l take it.B次元官网网址�

But everyone knew he loved helping those in need, Westra said.

B次元官网网址淩ickB次元官网网址檚 loss has devastated many people,B次元官网网址� said Westra. B次元官网网址淚t was too early, and it was senseless. It will be felt by his family, friends, the entire Ridge Meadows detachment, the RCMP, and the countless lives that he touched. The world has changed with this loss. We canB次元官网网址檛 say enough, but we want to say B次元官网网址榃ell done Rick. We love you.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淩ik was very young at heart, but he also had a heart of gold. You could always count on him,B次元官网网址� remembered his friend Const. Ben Stephens.

He remembered that for OB次元官网网址橞rien, policing was about letting people know they matter, and changing lives for the better.

B次元官网网址淚 was really proud of the police officer that Rick was. He taught me a lot about patience and about being a better police officer,B次元官网网址� said Stephens.

His family remembered OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 love of gross-out humour, and his sister Cindy Niezen shared stories about his silliness and teasing.

But he was always there for his family.

B次元官网网址淚f Rick loved you, he loved you with his entire being,B次元官网网址� Niezen said.

B次元官网网址淗e wore his uniform with pride. He served his community with excellence, because he cared about people,B次元官网网址� remembered OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 friend Const. Dan Leclaire.

B次元官网网址淩ick was, and always will be, a hero,B次元官网网址� said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme.

He said the criminal landscape was becoming increasingly violent, and said that his goal was to protect the RCMP while they protect others.

An incident when he had been an officer for just seven months was shared by Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP commanding officer.

OB次元官网网址橞rien was one of seven officers who responded to 911 calls about a home invasion in progress. They formulated a plan and entered the home in the presence of armed suspects.

The officers rescued four adults and a small child, and arrested four suspects.

OB次元官网网址橞rien was awarded a CommissionerB次元官网网址檚 Commendation pin and and Award of Valour for his part in the successful rescue.

B次元官网网址淗e close the gaps that day,B次元官网网址� said McDonald.

B次元官网网址淗e spent so much of his career closing gaps. How do we now deal with the gap caused by his absence?B次元官网网址�

He told OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 family that their B次元官网网址淩CMP familyB次元官网网址� would be there for them always.

The funeral ended with the Last Post played by a bugler, followed by a piper playing a lament, and then the bugler playing Reville.

OB次元官网网址橞rien was killed while serving a warrant as part of a drug investigation in Coquitlam. Two other RCMP officers with him were wounded in the same altercation. The suspect is now facing first degree murder and attempted murder charges.

Originally from Ottawa, OB次元官网网址橞rien lived in the Willoughby neighbourhood of Langley, and spent his entire seven-year service with the RCMP in the Ridge Meadows detachment, serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

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Master of ceremonies - now bugler will play the last post, traditionally signals the end of the day. B次元官网网址淭he camp is secure. Your duty is done. Rest in peace.B次元官网网址�

Then piper plays the lament.