Moncton residents, RCMP, first responders honoured for actions during shootings

CTV Atlantic: City of Moncton honoured for actions Police, first responders and the people of Moncton are being honoured for their actions during and after the fatal shooting.

The people of Moncton, police officers and first responders have been honoured for their actions during and after the fatal shootings of three RCMP officers in the city.

Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Douglas Larche were gunned down after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood in the northwest area of Moncton on June 4.

Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded and later released from hospital.

The suspect was arrested following a manhunt that spanned 30 hours and brought the city of 69,000 to a virtual standstill.

Members of the Codiac RCMP, first responders, the City of Moncton, and its citizens received the Governor General’s Commendation on Thursday in recognition of their response to the shootings.

“It’s not often this award is given,” says New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas. “The commendation award is given in exceptional situations and in the rarest of times.”

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc says the city has shown exceptional strength, courage, and professionalism over the past two months.

“Today’s ceremony was to provide an award to the people of Moncton, to our first responders, and to the RCMP for their service during the very difficult times in June,” says LeBlanc.

The Governor General David Johnson was supposed to present the award. However, his trip to New Brunswick was cancelled due to illness, and Nicholas presented the award on his behalf.

“It was a great honour for myself to represent his Excellency the Governor General of Canada today and make this commendation on his behalf,” says Nicholas.

Premier David Alward was one of many dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

“You look at what has taken place over the last two months now, an incredible tragedy, but the way this community has come together,” says Alward.

New Brunswick RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown says it’s now time for the city to shift their focus to the future.

“You hear the term Moncton Strong and I think we’re Moncton Stronger,” says Brown.

“We really are after all this. We’re stronger as a community, we’re stronger as a city, we’re stronger as emergency service providers and now it’s time to move forward.”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar