Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Freelancer
Contact:  http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733
Author: Eliza Barlow, The Edmonton Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Mayerthorpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

MOUNTIE MOMS GET SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Ontario Cops Paid Tribute to the Fallen Four

Tears flowed freely at a downtown hotel Saturday as a group of Ontario
cops paid tribute to the fallen four.

In an emotional ceremony, Const. Darryl Rice of the Durham Regional
Police Service in Ontario presented each Mountie's family with a
cheque for $25,000 and a sports jersey bearing their fallen son's name.

The presentations were the result of a "True Blue Heroes Bracelets"
fundraiser Rice launched earlier this year after Constables Brock
Myrol, Peter Schiemann, Leo Johnston and Anthony Gordon were shot dead
by James Roszko during a search of his farm on March 3.

To date, more than 50,000 blue bracelets bearing the words "True Blue
Heroes" have been distributed and more than $125,000 has been raised
in support of the fallen Mounties, said Rice at the ceremony at Sutton
Place Hotel.

"There's a lot of heart that goes into what we've done for you because
we care about you and we care about your families," said Rice,
struggling to maintain composure. "It just shows what it means to be a
police officer, to be part of such a big family ... We will not forget
what they did."

Rice presented the families with jerseys donated by the Saskatchewan
Roughriders, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Roughnecks
and Calgary Flames.

Kelly Johnston, who would have celebrated her first wedding
anniversary with Leo Johnston on Nov. 13, said she'd lost her
soulmate, best friend and her "reason for tomorrow" on March 3. "It's
people like you who remind me there are reasons for tomorrow," she
told Rice.

On Tuesday, the Mounties' families are scheduled to meet with Prime
Minister Paul Martin, along with Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and
Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan in Ottawa to demand tougher crime
laws.

"What happened on March 3 could happen so easily again," said Don
Schiemann, father of Peter Schiemann. "The conditions are just right
for it to happen. Police today are facing an unreasonable risk."

A recent Alberta Justice report said Roszko was flagged as a potential
dangerous offender after a sexual assault conviction in 1995, but he
didn't meet the criteria for such a serious status.

Schiemann said the families will ask Martin to institute mandatory
minimum sentences for certain crimes. They also want the government to
scrap a bill that would decriminalize marijuana. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake