Funeral for RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett draws thousands of mourners
11-year member of the force died while on duty in a vehicle collision in Langford, B.C.
Thousands of people made their way to Colwood, B.C., on Tuesday for the emotionalRCMP regimental funeral service for Const. Sarah Beckett
Beckett, an 11-year member of the force, died last week after a collision between her police cruiser and a pick-up truck in the Victoria suburb of Langford.
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The event beganwith a procession of hundreds of police officers, emergency responders, and military personnel from around the region, including officers from Beckett's West Shore detachment.
Onlookers gathered at various points on the street to watch the solemn procession.
Inside Colwood's Q Centre the 3,600 seats were filled with police, first responders, and members of the public.
"We are here today to sorrow over our loss, but we are also here to celebrate a life that mattered, a life that made a difference," said RCMP chaplain Jim Turner.
Family friend Jack Hayden delivered a message on behalf of Beckett's husband Brad.
"My dear Sarah, my heart, my rock, my soulmate... Even if I knew this moment was coming I would still make this journey a thousand times over with you. I promise your memory will never fade because you will always live on through our boys."
Haydenalso recounted howBeckettknew, as an Indo-Canadian and young mother, that she represented the new face of theRCMP, a role which she embraced.
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson shared some words, and spoke about the inherent risk of being a police officer.
"We've lost an exceptional member of our family to the perils of this job," said Paulson. "We'll always remember Sarah and we'll always respect her service, and the enormous ultimate sacrifice that's been made to keep Canadians safe."
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