RCMP honour man behind porch light initiative

With RCMP in Moncton searching for a police killer in the night darkness in Moncton on June 4, 2014, a question came across the force's Facebook feed: "Should people in these neighbourhoods have their outside porch lights on?Will that help or hinder your search?"

RCMP Const. Damien Thriault, amedia relations officer,said hefelt the question from Andrew Sanojcafrom the Macys Bay areawas an important message that could help police and put out a call to residents on Facebook and Twitter to turn on their lights.

RCMP say the porch light idea ended up assisting in the capture of Justin Bourque.

It also became a way for people in Moncton and around the world to show their respect for the CodiacRCMPand the families of slain officers Const. Doug Larche, Const. Dave Ross and Const. Fabrice Gevaudanand those who were wounded.

The porch light tribute has since carried on in other communities when a police officer dies on duty, most recently in Edmonton with the death of Const. Daniel Woodall.

The RCMP recently honouredSanojca for his idea, with Supt. Don Allen presenting him with a framed print, signed with a thank you message from Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown.

"I am humbled to know that my suggestion made a difference in the outcome of this senseless tragedy," said Sanojca.

"I feared for the safety of the officers trying to apprehend the shooter and hoped that by turning on outside lights, the advantage of darkness would be taken away.

"It is truly my hope that we won't have to turn on our porch lights to honour any more fallen officers, but the reality is we will, and I am proud this symbol of support has been adopted based on my suggestion."

The porch light initiative will live on in Moncton, incorporated into the memorial to be unveiled next year to honour the slain officers.