Family and friends of a fallen RCMP officer now have a place in Chilliwack to sit and remember someone they describe as a funny, kind and caring man.
Const. Rick OB次元官网网址橞rien Jr. of Langley, 51, in Coquitlam. Earlier in May, a bench was installed at Farifield Island Park in his memory.
B次元官网网址淚 love it. It means a lot,B次元官网网址� said 25-year-old daughter Cindy OB次元官网网址橞rien. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something to remember my dad and my grandmother by. ItB次元官网网址檚 a nice place to come and connect with them when I need to.B次元官网网址�
There are two plaques on the bench B次元官网网址� one honouring Rick OB次元官网网址橞rien, and one engraved with his motherB次元官网网址檚 name, Patricia OB次元官网网址橞rien, who died a year earlier, almost to the day.
The bench was draped with a Canadian flag and unveiled on Tuesday, May 28. More than 50 people were in attendance, including about a dozen police officers.
Formerly of Chilliwack, OB次元官网网址橞rien was a Langley resident at the time of the fatal incident. He was a seven-year member with the Ridge Meadows RCMP and was one of several officers executing a search warrant on a residence in Coquitlam, near the intersection of Pinetree Way and Glen Drive on the evening of Friday, Sept. 22.
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Robyn Hall recalled hearing about the incident when it happened, but it didnB次元官网网址檛 dawn on her until later that she had a connection with OB次元官网网址橞rien. She realized she taught his children at Watson Elementary School in Chilliwack.
It was HallB次元官网网址檚 idea to have a bench dedicated to OB次元官网网址橞rien. She contacted OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 former colleague and teacher Steve Ball, and together they worked to raise money and get the bench installed. Ball started a GoFundMe and they ended up raising a bit more than the cost of the bench, so the remaining funds will go towards a bursary in OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 name.
He joined the police force later in life, while he was in his 40s. Before that, he worked for many years in the Chilliwack School District as an education assistant (EA).
B次元官网网址淗e had a big tolerance for kids,B次元官网网址� said father Rick OB次元官网网址橞rien Sr.
He also had B次元官网网址渨icked sense of humour,B次元官网网址� he added.
B次元官网网址淰ery sarcastic, too. You could throw a joke at him, and heB次元官网网址檒l snap right back with another one so quick. It was insane how he could come up with that kind of stuff so fast,B次元官网网址� recalled daughter Cindy.
Ball remembered how he and OB次元官网网址橞rien would play pranks on people together when they were teaching.
B次元官网网址淗e was good-natured, funny, caring. HeB次元官网网址檇 do anything for anybody, especially kids. He was like a little kid,B次元官网网址� Ball said. B次元官网网址淗e loved his job as an EA and always had the passion to become a police officer. Part of me wishes he was still an EA.B次元官网网址�
Daughter Cindy said what she misses the most is her fatherB次元官网网址檚 voice.
B次元官网网址淗e wasnB次元官网网址檛 just a dad, he was also a best friend, someone you could count on and rely on, especially if there were boys involved,B次元官网网址� she said.
Hall said the family knew right away where they wanted the bench. She recalled one of OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 kids pointing to Fairfield Island Park on a map saying B次元官网网址淩ight there. Right beside the playground because Dad loved kids.B次元官网网址�
Many family members live near the park and they go there frequently. The bench faces the playground in the southwest corner of the park.
OB次元官网网址橞rienB次元官网网址檚 sister, Cindy Niezen, spoke during the unveiling ceremony and acknowledged the officers in attendance.
B次元官网网址淲e, as a family, are very thankful for each and every member. We pray for you guys, we ask that you stay safe. We never imagined that this would happen to our family, but we feel like you guys are an extension of us and you will always be in our thoughts as we carry on each day without him,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e lives in our hearts and he lives in this bench. He will always be with us.B次元官网网址�
People can still donate to the GoFundMe and all money raised will go towards a bursaries for Chilliwack high school students. To donate, go to
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