Moose Jaw military police detachment honours solider who died while escorting Queen Elizabeth II

In recognition of MWO Norman “Danny” Elbridge O’Donnell's more than 30 years of service to the Canadian Armed Forces, the military police building at the 15 Wing Moose Jaw Canadian Forces Base was renamed after him. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

A military police detachment has been renamed in honour of a soldier from Moose Jaw who died while escorting Queen Elizabeth II.

Norman “Danny” Elbridge O’Donnell died of cardiac arrest while leading a motorcade for the late queen, during her visit at 15 Wing Moose Jaw Canadian Forces Base on July 30, 1978.

In recognition of his dedication and over 30 years of service to the Canadian Armed Forces, the city’s police detachment was named after him.

“It is special because we have a special uncle and we really enjoyed the things [we] have done with him. To hear that he was going to be recognized for the service he performed was pretty special,” said O’Donnell’s nephew, Richard Hansen.

On Wednesday, a rededication ceremony was held to unveil the detachment’s new name.

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Officers said the renaming is a meaningful way “to ensure his memory and his service are never forgotten.”

“[Master Warrant Officer] O’Donnell represents one of many military police members who have died in the line of duty,” shared Brigadier-General Vanessa Hanrahan of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal who assumed command of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group.

“Given that he actually served some time here in Moose Jaw, it’s very fitting that they look to name one of the buildings here, most specific the military police detachment, after him. As it brings back the fact that someone from this detachment gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life in service to their country.”

Hanrahan added through his years of service, O’Donnell exhibited what officers strive for.

“There’s many examples over his career where he put himself on the line and put himself in danger to serve others. That very much speaks to what we expect of our, not just our Canadian Armed Forces, but he was also what I consider a profession within a profession in that he was a military police officer,” she said.

“Our law enforcement partners all over the country, we always need to be willing to put ourselves in harm’s way to service others. I think he exemplified that with courage, with dedication and devotion.”

His granddaughter, Kimberley, said she was only made aware of her grandfather’s dedication to serving others after finding out about the ceremony.

“I think something everybody can attest to is military families, they don’t really talk about what they do or how they do it and that was something big in my family,” she said.

“I honestly didn’t even know that my grandpa had died in the line of duty and in the way that he did until December. My uncle had brought it up to me… and it was just opening this big can of worms of how amazing and incredible my family has been, since my father’s in the military and my grandfather as well.”

Although it was not in his nature to talk about his service, O’Donnell’s family said they are grateful to see his legacy will carry on in the military community.