A Victoria police officerB次元官网网址檚 dedication to honouring fallen police and peace officers in B.C. has earned him a special honour.
Det.-Const. Jonathan Sheldan was appointed a member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by Gov.-Gen David Johnston in a ceremony in Ottawa on May 9. Sheldan was one of 34 police officers recognized.
The 20-year Victoria police veteran, who works with the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, earned the appointment for his historical research identifying police and peace officers in B.C. who have lost their lives.
The detective said last weekB次元官网网址檚 recognition is not about him.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about us not forgetting the sacrifice of others,B次元官网网址� he said.
Sheldan founded the B.C. Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation with two Vancouver police officers, which led to the creation of a memorial at the southeast corner of the legislature in Victoria in 2004. The names of 96 fallen officers in B.C. were featured on it at the time.
Through their historical research, foundation members identified 10 more officers who have paid the ultimate price, and their names have since been added to the granite bastion.
More recently, Sheldan has identified eight officers who died in the 1800s. Their names will be engraved on the monument later this year, bringing the total to 114.
B次元官网网址淭here was a time period when I was new on the job that I think weB次元官网网址檇 forgotten part of our history, and it really struck me that you canB次元官网网址檛 do that, you canB次元官网网址檛 forget the members that never got to go home one night,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey didnB次元官网网址檛 get to go back to their families like I do.B次元官网网址�
In his leadership role with the Victoria Police DepartmentB次元官网网址檚 Historical Society and his work with the Canadian Heraldic Authority, Sheldan was also instrumental in the development of VicPDB次元官网网址檚 first crest and coat of arms, unveiled in 2009.
An exhibit showcasing how the department developed its coat of arms will be featured at the National Capital CommissionB次元官网网址檚 Capital Information Centre in Ottawa, starting Thursday (May 17) and running until Nov. 11. The display marks Queen Elizabeth IIB次元官网网址檚 Diamond Jubilee.
SheldanB次元官网网址檚 Order of Merit appointment is well-deserved and reflects his dedication to the Victoria Police Department and its history, said VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 police chief.
B次元官网网址淛onathanB次元官网网址檚 commitment to VicPD and his passion for honouring our history have shone through during his career,B次元官网网址� Chief Const. Jamie Graham said in a statement.
In his speech, Johnston said the appointees put the needs of others before their own.
B次元官网网址淵ou are here not by accident, but because you have stood out as willing to go beyond the call of duty, to think differently about the work that you do and to show compassion for the community,B次元官网网址� he said.
Since the inception of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2000, select members and employees of police agencies in Canada have been recognized for exceptional contributions that go above and beyond protecting the public.
emccracken@vicnews.com
