A fundraising campaign by the Bonnyville RCMP detachment and its victim services unit has several Lac La Biche connections and will affect a campaign with a global reach.
More than $5,600 was raised for the Fallen Four Memorial Society through a June 21 fundraising BBQ, garage sale and bake sale hosted at the detachment. The Bonnyville detachment's commander, Staff Sgt. Sarah Parke is a former member of the Lac La Biche RCMP, the hometown of Leo Johnston, one of the Mounties killed by a gunman at a rural farm near Mayerthrorpe in the spring of 2005.
"We are excited to announce that we raised over $5600 for the Fallen Four Memorial Society and we couldn't have done it without the hundreds of people that attended the event and donated so generously," said Parke who met the Johnston family on several occasions.
The Fallen Four Memorial Park in Mayerthorpe has suffered from some repair needs in recent years and at the beginning of 2019, supporter of the project issued a plea to police, military, veterans and community members to help fund repairs and maintenance.
In Bonnyville's recent fundraiser, corporate supporters like Canadian Natural provided assistance with the event.
"We would also like to thank CNRL for their time and contribution to the event which helped make it a success," Parke said.
The Four Mounties, Peter Schiemann, Brock Myrol, Anthony Gordon and Johnston were ambushed by a known criminal while they were guarding a crime scene at the man's rural home. Johnston was the only member who was able to return fire before being shot and killed. The armed gunman took his own life as other police contained the area.
A monument to Johnston and former Lac La Biche Mountie Marc Bourdage — who was killed by a gunman in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan in 2006 — sits outside the Lac La Biche detachment.
Johnston was originally buried in the Lac La Biche Cemetery, near his family home in the Owl River area. Following an intense legal and family battle, his remains were moved by his wife. Johnston's remains were supposed to be laid to rest at the RCMP memorial cemetery in Regina, Saskatchewan.
A large sculpture of each member of the Fallen Four stands in the memorial park in Mayerthorpe. The Fallen Four Memorial Society created a GoFundMe site at the end of 2018 to help with the upkeep of the site. to date, more than $33,000 has been raised.
To donate to the cause, click here.
