MONCTON, N.B. — The widows of three fallen Mounties are thanking the public for their support one year after their husbands were gunned down in Moncton, N.B.
Angela Gevaudan, Nadine Larche and Rachael Ross stood before dozens of people gathered at a ceremony in the city today to unveil a memorial for the RCMP officers who were killed by Justin Bourque last June 4.
Constables David Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche died and constables Éric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded by Bourque.
Angela Gevaudan said they wanted to show their gratitude for "a community that has embraced" them and their families since the officers rushed to a neighbourhood in the city's north end to try and apprehend Bourque.
"To everyone near and far who has been there for us, thank you," she said. "Your light guides us as we rebuild our lives and move forward."
The women also thanked the government and the artist who designed a memorial statue that features the three RCMP officers.
They received a standing ovation from dozens of people in attendance for the ceremony in front of Moncton City Hall, including representatives of all three levels of government.
The federal budget, tabled in April, allocated up to $1 million for the memorial, which will be placed in a waterfront park.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement today that the shootings deeply affected the entire country and that memories of the fallen officers will endure.
"This violent incident was a vivid reminder of the dangers that our courageous men and women in uniform face every day as they protect communities across our nation," says Harper in the statement released Thursday morning.
"The ultimate sacrifices made by Constables Larche, Ross and Gevaudan will not be forgotten. We will honour their memory and we will work to ensure that the RCMP has the resources it needs to counter those who threaten the safety and security of Canadians."
Moncton saw an outpouring of emotion in the days and weeks following the shootings. Often people were lining up to hug police officers, shake their hand, or just thank them for their duty.
The RCMP in New Brunswick posted a video to YouTube Thursday morning to thank residents for their support.
The video features members of the Codiac Regional RCMP and support staff holding personalized "Thank You" signs to the people of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.
"As a police force, it’s our job to look after the community, to look after you, but during our darkest days you looked after us," reads the video's opening caption. "For the past year, the support the people of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview have provided us, both personally and professionally, has been incredible."
Tonight, the RCMP Musical Ride will pay tribute to the fallen officers with a free performance at the Magnetic Hill concert site in Moncton.
Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
