The wife of one of the three Mounties shot and killed in Moncton on June 4, 2014, says part of the monument built in their honour has been stolen. Nadine Larche told CTV News she was visiting the statue of her late husband Const. Doug Larche Wednesday morning when she noticed one of the 12 bronze maple leaves that wrap around the monument was stolen. “I’m very angry that somebody came here and stole one of the bronze maple leaves from the base of the monument,” said Larche, visibly upset. Constables Fabrice Gevaudan and Dave Ross were also shot and killed by the gunman who was on the run in a northwest Moncton neighbourhood the same evening. Larche said the 12 maple leaves, roughly 60 centimeters by 60 centimetres, are one of a kind created by community members who showed their support following the shootings. “There’s different ones from different groups of people. Our family has one, the Gevaudan family has one, the Ross family has one. There’s also one for the City of Moncton, the City of Dieppe, the Town of Riverview,” said Larche. “We all put our thumbprints in the base of the monument on the leaves to kind of leave our prints there for forever.” Larche said she can’t fathom why anyone would do such a thing. A member of the Codiac Regional RCMP met with Larche at the monument during the lunch hour to take pictures and get her statement. The RCMP told CTV News it received a report of vandalism at the memorial Wednesday morning. “We have assigned an investigator and it seems that one of the maple leaf’s at the base of the memorial was cut from the concrete,” said the RCMP in a statement. “Investigators are canvassing the area and looking for video surveillance.” Police believe the theft happened sometime between Friday and Wednesday. “This memorial holds tremendous significance for the Codiac Regional RCMP and the citizens of Moncton,” said Insp. Jonathan White from the Codiac Regional RCMP. “It stands as a lasting tribute to three of our fallen members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their communities. The theft of this bronze plaque is deeply concerning and disappointing, as it represents far more than a piece of metal. It is a symbol of remembrance, respect, and gratitude.” The City of Moncton also confirmed to CTV News that it’s aware of the theft. Mayor Shawn Crossman says he’s “disheartened” by the incident. “Each leaf is completely unique, bearing the thumbprints of Moncton residents. They represent the community’s solidarity with these officers and their families,” Crossman told CTV News. “The Honour Garden where the monument stands is a sacred space honouring the sacrifice of these fallen officers and it is distressing to think that any member of our community would damage it in any way.” “If anyone knows where the plaque is, I encourage you to return it so it can be reinstalled on the monument where it belongs,” Crossman adds. Larche and the RCMP are asking anyone with information about the stolen maple leaf to contact the Codiac Regional RCMP at 506-857-2400. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
