A sombre crowd gathered in front of the West Shore RCMPB次元官网网址檚 memorial garden Wednesday.
Shortly after noon, roughly 200 people in attendance bowed their heads for a moment of silence, honouring West Shore RCMP officer Const. Sarah Beckett, who was killed a year ago after her police cruiser was broadsided by a pickup truck in the Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road intersection in Langford during the early hours of April 5.
Before the ceremony even started, bouquets of fresh flowers were already neatly stacked next to BeckettB次元官网网址檚 plaque. Fire trucks lined Atkins Avenue, as RCMP officers were joined by other first responders wishing to show their support.
B次元官网网址淭ragedy struck our family on April 5, 2016,B次元官网网址� said Staff Sgt. Raj Sandhu.
B次元官网网址淥ur initial plan was to have a small informal ceremony.B次元官网网址�
But after numerous calls from members of the public, elected officials and others wishing to express their condolences and support.
He said, B次元官网网址渨e just knew we couldnB次元官网网址檛 keep this to ourselves.B次元官网网址�
He thanked the community for their support, not just this week but during the past year.
An RCMP chaplain also offered a few words. B次元官网网址淥ur lives are like a pebble tossed into a pond B次元官网网址�. long after the stone disappears, the ripples continue.B次元官网网址�
Const. Krysti Seutter took a moment after the ceremony to lay a bouquet of orange tulips. A woman from the crowd stopped to offer the officer condolences, passing her a card and two stuffed toys.
B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 believe itB次元官网网址檚 been a year and I still canB次元官网网址檛 believe sheB次元官网网址檚 gone,B次元官网网址� Seutter said. The pair were stationed on the same watch right up until about a month before Beckett was killed.
B次元官网网址淪he helped me a lot when I was new B次元官网网址� I really looked up to her, she was like a big sister at work,B次元官网网址� Seutter recalled, adding with a laugh, B次元官网网址渟he always had food.B次元官网网址�
But when their shift ended, she noted, Beckett wouldnB次元官网网址檛 often come out with the others. B次元官网网址淪he had to get home to her boys.B次元官网网址�
Plans for a formal mural wall in honour of Beckett are underway, with an official unveiling date yet to be determined. B次元官网网址淕one but not forgotten,B次元官网网址� Sandhu said.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
