The people of Moncton, N.B., paid tribute to three RCMP officers who lost their lives one year ago in a confrontation with a lone gunman on Thursday.

Constables David Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche were killed by Justin Bourque, who was stalking the city's streets with loaded weapons. Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were also injured in the attack, which prompted a massive manhunt and partial lockdown of the quiet Maritime city.

Justin Bourque is serving a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years.

On Thursday, Moncton held a procession and gave locals a first glimpse at a monument honouring the Mounties.

During the ceremony, the families of the three fallen officers showed their appreciation for the community's support in the wake of last year's tragic events.

“To everyone near and far who has been there for us, thank you,” Angela Gevaudan, widow of Fabrice Gevaudan, said. “Your light guides us as we rebuild our lives and move forward.”

"I will always be grateful for the love we have received from Fabrice and from all of you, and will spend the rest of our lives honouring it any way we can," she added.

Rachel Ross, the widow of David Ross, acknowledged that "healing process has been difficult," and that help from others has helped her deal with her grief.

"We have found comfort and strength in the support we have received and that support continues to see us through," said Ross.

A design for a memorial honouring Ross, Gevaudan and Larche was also unveiled during the event. A life-sized statue of the three officers will cast into bronze and placed in Riverfront Park.

"At first I thought 'why aren't they in a straight line,'" Phyllis Boudreau, one of the hundred locals who attended the event, told CTV Atlantic.

"And then I said 'No, they have …each other's backs and that's the way they work,'" she added.

The local Codiac RCMP unit also released a video salute to the people of Moncton thanking them for the outpouring of support.

In a video posted online, Codiac RCMP officers and support staff are shown holding ‘thank you’ signs.

“As a police force, it is our job to look after the community, to look after you, but during our darkest days you looked after us,” reads the video’s introduction.

Dubois, Goguen and the widows of the fallen officers are also shown holding “Thank you! Merci!” signs in the four-minute video message.

Moncton residents have also marked the anniversary by leaving gifts and flowers outside the Codiac RCMP detachment.

In a statement released Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the horrific shootings “deeply affected” the entire country. “Laureen and I join the families and friends of those officers and all Canadians in remembering that day with profound sadness and in honouring the memory of RCMP Constables Doug Larche, Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan.”

In the days and months following the June 4, 2014 shooting, it was often repeated that Moncton had lost its innocence, but on Thursday some locals insisted that the tragedy had only strengthened bonds between citizens.

"It seems like a short time ago really that it happened and I believe it has made us reflect on what the community really is and we've become a closer, better community," said Moncton resident Susan Somers.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron