REGINA - The slayings of two constables in Canada's north received special attention Sunday at the RCMP's National Memorial Service to honour members, special constables and auxiliary officers who died in the line of duty.
Wreaths were laid by the families of Const. Doug Scott and Const. Christopher Warden at the RCMP's Depot Division - a training facility - in Regina.
Scott, 20, was fatally shot Nov. 5 while responding alone to a call about an impaired driver in the remote Baffin Island community of Kimmirut, Nunavut.
Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola, 37, faces a charge of first-degree murder.
Just a month earlier, Const. Christopher Worden was gunned down in Hay River, N.W.T., after responding alone to a call at a suspected drug house.
Emrah Bulatci, 23, was charged with first-degree murder.
"Words sort of fail us," said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott. "It's just a horrendous loss that they have suffered, that the forces suffered and that Canada suffered. So words really aren't enough."
Scott's father, Douglas Scott Sr., wept as he remembered how proud his son was to serve in the RCMP.
"He was honoured," said the still-grieving father. "He loved it. And if you talked to the people that he worked with, and the locals, you could tell that he loved it."
He said attending the memorial is like a big support group for the families.
Margaret Sheridan, sister of slain constable Brian Thomas King, has been attending the annual memorial faithfully since her brother was killed in Saskatoon 20 years ago.
"I return each year to pay respect to a young man's dream and to be there for the new families, reassuring them that life does go on," said Sheridan. "I also come to be inspired by the strong and true spirit of young Canadians that is so tangible at the Depot. It gives me hope."
