AUPE honours fallen police and peace officers
EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees pays its respects today to the hundreds of Canadian police and peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Peace officers and police officers put their lives on the line every day in their work protecting Albertans and assuring their security and safety,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“From our province’s highways to its forests and its prisons, our members bravely serve the public in dangerous circumstances. Today we honour those who have lost their lives while serving us all.”
Peace officers represented by AUPE are in Ottawa today to participate in the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service. AUPE represents thousands of Albertans serving as Peace Officers in protective services, passenger and commercial vehicle enforcement, and fish and wildlife enforcement.
“This year we were all reminded of exactly how dangerous these jobs are when Community Peace Officer Rod Lazenby lost his life in the line of duty while investigating a complaint near Priddis. He was not an AUPE member, but all peace officers and their families mourned the loss as one. It was a terrible reminder of what can happen while they fulfill their duty to Albertans,” said Smith.
The Government of Canada in 1998 proclaimed the last Sunday of every September as Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. The first Alberta Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony took place on Sunday, September 26, 1999.
The Alberta service takes place at 1 pm Sunday, Sept 30 at the Pillar of Strength monument, located on the south grounds of the Alberta Legislature.
30