Honouring Vernon‘s fallen

By Jordan Nicurity Monday, June 4, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=47210

While a sombre occasion, the unveiling of a permanent memorial honouring Const. Jean Minguy and Auxiliary Const. Glen Evely felt more like a celebration of the values embodied by these two officers. A crowd of approximately 70 people joined the Vernon RCMP in paying respect to the city‘s two fallen officers. They were joined by Commissioner of the RCMP Bev Busson, who had worked as a constable with Minguy in North Vancouver . Members of the RCMP and Mayor Wayne Lippert made speeches to mark the occasion, emphasizing the special role the RCMP play in the community. “Police work is not a job, it‘s a calling,” said Insp. Steve McVarnock, “When there is a loss on the police force anywhere, it is felt by all; When a local detachment loses one of our own that loss is exponential.” Chief superintendent Don Harrison noted that Glen Evely‘s sense of duty to the community was exemplary. Evely served with B.C. Ambulance before taking up the role of auxiliary officer. “In my opinion Glen Evely is a community hero who will long be remembered,” said Harrison.

Commissioner of the RCMP Bev Busson made sure that those in attendance knew that the service performed by the two members would not be forgotten. “It makes me proud to be commissioner of a force with such a high calibre of people,” said Busson. “Both (Jean) and Glen made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the community safe.” Busson explained that the level of bravery and commitment police need to possess can be humbling. “(Police) are guardians and heroes. They go to work not sure if they will come home.” The unveiling of the black stone obelisk memorial was a confirmation of Busson‘s statements regarding the danger of the job. Const. Jean Minguy drowned on June 3, 2005 after he fell out of the RCMP patrol boat on Okanagan Lake. Minguy was alone, not wearing his life jacket at the time and was weighed down by his bulletproof vest and duty belt. Auxiliary Const. Glen Evely was killed on Nov. 13, 2004 when his patrol car was struck by a stolen pickup truck after a police pursuit. For the members of the RCMP Jean Minguy Memorial Youth Academy, the memorial service to the officers killed on duty did not shake their resolve to one day join the ranks of the RCMP. “Not one bit,” said Amanda Schwenler,17, a member of the youth academy, “There are men and women putting their lives on the line to help their community everyday. I‘ve wanted to do this since I was five.”