Edmontonians gathered at the Alberta Legislature to mark the 15th annual Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day.
For those who have lost a loved one, the ceremony brings back tough memories.
The widow of Calgary Const. John Petropoulos, who died on September 29, 2000, said the day brought back sad memories of what she has gone through over the last 13 years but also the good that came out of it.
“I think of all the good that John inspired in me and that I am carrying on,” MaryAnn Pope said.
Petropoulos died after falling nine feet through a roof while responding to a break and enter incident.
Pope said that when she hears about tragedies she immediately thinks of those left behind.
“You think instantly of the family member who is at home who is going to get the knock on the door or the phone call and the horrible experience they are headed for.”
After his death, three officers from John’s recruit class started up the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund.
“We raise public awareness about workplace safety issues facing emergency responders and we give the public tangible tools that can help those emergency responders make it home safety,” Pope explained.
In 1998 the Government of Canada first proclaimed the last Sunday of every September to be Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day.
The Government of Alberta followed suit by proclaiming a provincial Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day in 1999.
Since then 19 officers have been killed in the line of duty in Alberta.
The event coincides with the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, where a ceremony is held in Ottawa.
The Pillar of Strength, a monument for those killed on duty, was first unveiled at the Alberta Legislature in July 2006 and remains a centerpiece of the memorial.
With files from Nicole Weisberg
