Mon 13 Apr 2009 09:44:02 AM EDT Parliament Hill, Ottawa
On the last Sunday each year in September, we gather to honour our Fallen Officers and keep faith with them and their families left behind.
The Service commemorates the great sacrifice our officers have made. They have lost their lives protecting society from the evils of violence and crime. These officers served their country with integrity, honesty and courage, well known values of the law enforcement family.
The Memorial Service is held to honour Peace and Police Officers who have died in the line of duty.
On March 22, 1994, Prime Minister Jean Cretien gathered with more than 700 police officers and relatives of slain officers at a site behind the Parliament buildings. The Canadian Police Association (CPA) and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) dedicated the new Canadian Police Memorial Pavilion and the granite stone at the base of the pavilion that contains the names of officers killed on duty.
When the granite stone was unveiled in the Spring of 1994, it contained the names of 227 police officers killed in the line of duty since 1879. In the Fall of 1994, two other stones were also erected -- one for peace officers who died in the line of duty and included the names of slain peace officers from Canadian law enforcement agencies such as Corrections, Ministry of Natural Resources, Customs and Excise, Fisheries and Oceans, and Conservation -- and another stone explaining the Pavilion's history.
Now this truly integrated service honouring all peace and police officers is a fitting tribute to those who have given their lives in the performance of their duty.
There are currently over 100 peace officers on the Honour Roll and over 600 police officers.
For each of the last three years, over 5,000 people have attended the Services on Parliament Hill.
Memorial Service
The Service itself is held on Parliament Hill. The Order of Service commences around 10:30 a.m. with preludes from various Choirs. At approximately 10:55 a.m. a parade of police and peace officers arrives on Parliament Hill, complete with pipes and drums and ceremonial units. A hat reflecting the service of each Fallen Officer since the previous year's Memorial Service, is presented.
A welcome address is given and an opening prayer. The Honour Roll is recognized along with the firing of a cannon. This is followed by a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths. The Service ends with a March Past.
On Saturday evening prior to the Sunday Memorial Service, a Vigil is held at the Memorial Pavilion in the early evening around 7:30 p.m. The Vigil is generally attended by the Next-of-Kin family members and supporters.
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