Virtual ceremony held for fallen Saskatchewan police and peace officers

The 17th annual ceremony honouring police and peace officers that have died in the line of duty was held in front of the provincial legislature Sunday.

The 2020 ceremony looked different compared to years past, as there was no parade or wreath-laying.

The ceremony might have been shorter than in past years, but the meaning behind the memorial remained the same, according to Saskatoon police Staff Sgt. Major Grant Obst.

“The reason they come together is to pay tribute and remember our fallen brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said Sunday.

“Obviously everyone is disappointed that there isn’t a parade or wreath laying this year,” Obst said. “We aren’t the only ones suffering from the results of COVID, we wanted to be responsible and pair it down and we hope next year we can see more normalcy with this memorial.”

The Regina Police Service held a live-streaming of the reading of the Provincial Honour Roll and ceremony. There are 63 names on the Saskatchewan Honour Roll, dating back all the way to 1877.

“We wanted to make sure we did at least something,” Obst said. “The idea for a virtual ceremony seemed fitting.”

Ceremonies also held place throughout Canada, with the largest ceremony being held in Ottawa.

“I know the Ottawa ceremony was going ahead with a bunch of protocols, here in Saskatchewan we decided to go the virtual route with the abbreviated ceremony,” Obst added. “It’s important to make sure these people are remembered.”

In 1998, the Government of Canada proclaimed the last Sunday in September as the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial day to express appreciation for the dedication of Police and Peace Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their line of duty.

“When an officer gets ready to go to work, they don’t go in with the expectation that they won’t return home,” Obst said. “But if that happens, then that individual needs to be remembered for that sacrifice and their service.”

Aside from the memorial, roughly 30 cyclists started in Saskatoon on Thursday. They rode to Regina with stops along the way, doing this over the last four years in remembrance for fallen officers.

“It’s based on the same sort of ride that has happened in Ontario over the last number of years,” Obst said. “These cyclists felt like it should be implemented here.”

“It’s important to make sure these officers are remembered.”