Peace Officer Memorial Day
EDMONTON – Representatives of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ more than 2,500 peace officers are expected to attend Peace Officers Memorial ceremonies in Edmonton and Ottawa on Sunday to honour their fallen colleagues.
“The work AUPE peace officers do in the name of public safety is both admirable and heroic — we owe them a debt of gratitude — they put their lives on the line every day to keep you and me safe,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
More than 100 AUPE peace officers are expected to attend Sunday’s parade in Edmonton.
In addition, eight AUPE members from Local 003 will attend the national ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, said AUPE Local 003 Chair Cec Cardinal.
Edmonton’s ceremony will commence Sunday at 1 p.m. on the south lawn of the Alberta Legislature where the Peace Officers Memorial is located. It will honour the lives of 96 women and men who have died in the line of duty in Alberta since 1876. Edmonton’s memorial ceremony is organized by Alberta police officers.
The parade march will commence with the Massed Pipes and Drums of Alberta Police/Peace Officer Services and will start near the bus terminal on 107 Street south of 99 Avenue.
The last Sunday in September was officially proclaimed Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day in 1998 by the Canadian government.
This year, Forest Ranger and Game Guardian Jacob Howard Pegg and Constable Chelsey Robinson of the Stony Plain RCMP will be added to the list of police and peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
AUPE members of Local 003 and Local 005 make up the bulk of the peace officers who are members of the union.
AUPE proudly represents peace officers who serve in several important capacities including: Sheriffs; Probation Officers; Correctional Peace Officers; Correctional Service Workers; Conservation Officers; Fish and Wildlife Officers; Parks Officers and Transport Officers.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE – 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)