Codiac officers given time off to grieve after Moncton shootings

Codiac RCMP officers are getting some time off to grieve in the wake of last week's shooting deaths of three of their colleagues.

All 200 members of the detachment are being relieved of their duties for several days by colleagues from across the country.

Mike Schaus, from Yarmouth, N.S., is one of the officers filling in. He saidhe's happy to help out.

"Very important for me to be here, just to make sure that the city realizes that we're still here and we're strong and we're a family," he said.

The RCMP is also providing counselling to membersof the Codiac detachment while they are on leave from active duty.

Const.FabriceGeorgesGevaudan,Const. DouglasJamesLarcheandConst. Dave Joseph Ross died in the line of duty a week ago in a deadly shooting in a residential area ofMoncton.

• Moncton Mounties' funeral: 'What happened here is an outrage,' Stephen Harper says

A regimental funeral was held in Moncton on Tuesday that saw thousands of police officers and first responders from across the continent show up to grieve for the fallen officers.

The Moncton Coliseum was filled to capacity with an estimated 7,000 people. Images from the funeral showed a sea of red as the Mounties were all dressed in their traditional red serge uniforms.

There were also 10 satellite sites set up across the greater Moncton area so others could watch the service.The Capitol Theatre, in the city's downtown, was at near-capacity, with about 740 people, while the New Brunswick Casino had about 150.

Many people at these events, or who lined Millennium Boulevard during the funeral procession, were also wearing red to honour the RCMP officers.

Each officer was eulogized by a family member or a friend during the funeral. The eulogies offered personalstories, but they all spoke about the commitment the slain officers had to their communities and to the RCMP.

Tributes were also given by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Roger Brown, the assistant commissioner of the RCMP in New Brunswick, Codiac RCMP Supt. Marlene Snowman and RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson.

The prime minister called the shootings in Moncton"an outrage" and described the "profound sadness" that people across Canada have because of the tragedy.

Snowman, who worked with the three slain officers in Moncton, said the constables will be "forever missed" and people will never forget the ultimate sacrifice they made.

"The Codiac detachment, our members, their families and this community will be forever changed," said Snowman at the funeral.

"Our memories will remain, the pain will fade and the men and women of Codiac will continue to proudly serve."