WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government has named a northern lake after an RCMP officer who was killed in the line of duty.
The body of water, about 45 kilometres north of Flin Flon, has been named Lake Strongquill.
It commemorates RCMP Const. Dennis Strongquill, who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in 2001.
The shooting led to a 14-hour search that ended at a hotel near Wolseley, Saskatchewan, when a gun battle erupted and one of three suspects was killed.
RCMP assistant commissioner Kevin Brosseau told a ceremony that Strongquill dedicated his life and 20-year career to protecting people.
Manitoba Attoney General Gord Mackintosh said naming a lake after Strongquill will help ensure that his name lives on.
Manitoba has named thousands of lakes, islands and other geographic locations after people — most of them soldiers killed in war.
The province has also honoured others in the same way, such as hockey star Jonathan Toews, the Queen's six grandchildren and Manitoba residents who have helped in community development.
"Const. Strongquill dedicated his life to protecting the people of Manitoba and making our communities safer," Brosseau said at a ceremony Monday.
"The naming of Lake Strongquill is a humbling honour and will ensure that his sacrifice is never forgotten."
