LATEST NEWS
October 10th, 2024
Canadians Invited to Honour Fallen Police and Peace Officers Honour the Fallen – Nos Disparus launches today.
This one-hour TV special showcases the annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The program was six years in the making. It includes personal stories told by families and colleagues of fallen officers across the country. The program streams free online at honourthefallen.ca for English, and nosdisparus.ca for French.
Canadians Invited to Honour Fallen Police and Peace Officers Honour the Fallen – Nos Disparus launches today.
This one-hour TV special showcases the annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The program was six years in the making. It includes personal stories told by families and colleagues of fallen officers across the country. The program streams free online at honourthefallen.ca for English, and nosdisparus.ca for French.
18 August 2024
Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial
Message from Stephen Boucher, M.O.M.
Memorial Service Coordinator
Dear friends and family,
We are preparing in earnest for the 47th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Service. It will be held on Parliament Hill Sunday September 29, 2024 at 11am. This year we will be honouring the life of RCMP Constable Rick O’Brien who was killed September 22, 2023 while serving his community. We will gather in support of his family and friends along with all the families and friends of Police and Peace officers who have lost their loved ones in service to their communities. We also add the names of five historical officers to our Honour Roll: Constable John Ringwood, Newfoundland Constabulary (1877); Lieutenant Edwin G. Sturrock, CF Military Police Group (1943); Forest Officer Jacob Hasse, Alberta Department of Lands and Forests (1951); Corporal Kencel L. Milton, CF Military Police Group (1960); Lance Corporal Serephin Hartman, CF Military Police Group (1965). Our service format this year will look a little different than in recent years. We will be sharing the lawn on Parliament Hill with another very important national event, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The orientation of our service will shift to face East Block where the podium, the wreaths, and headdress will sit. We ask all parade participants to report to the usual mustering location around the Supreme Court and Wellington Street between Kent and Lyon Streets. There is limited parking available behind Confederation Building and street parking available on the adjacent roadways. Please assemble in your respective agencies in the mustering area. From there you will be sent up in groups by agency through the Bank Street gate onto Parliament Hill to be re-mustered in columns on the lawn. Please arrive early to the mustering location to give yourself plenty of time to find your service and get organized. We will start sending groups onto the Hill no later than 10am.
The parade must be formed up and dressed off in columns by service or agency on the lawn no later than 10:30am. Parade Marshalls will be on hand to assist with mustering and direction. The Parade Orders are still being developed. Stand by for more in the coming weeks. Pipe Bands will meet and form up behind West Block. Motorcycles will form up on Wellington Street between Bank and Kent Streets.
The start of the service will be preceded by a procession of combined services police motorcycles who will roll onto the Hill in formation and past the podium before exiting the Hill onto Wellington. The Massed Pipe Bands will follow immediately behind from West Block along with the Wreath Escort and Hat Escort.
The 47th Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will commence at 11am and will last
approximately one hour. At the conclusion of the service we will conduct our traditional March Past the Headdress in column of route. Columns are directed to continue marching west until they are off the Hill to give all columns the opportunity to conduct their March Past and properly pay their respects. The Minister’s Reception following the service is an invite-only event restricted to the families being honoured this year along with invited guests of the Minister.
Our weekend events will include the Next-of-Kin Welcoming Reception to host the families of fallen officers on Saturday evening. This will be followed by a Candlelight Vigil at the Memorial Tablets where the families can take some private time to reflect prior to Sunday’s service. We are also looking forward to see our supporters from the Run to Remember and Ride to Remember arriving on the Hill at 3pm Saturday September 28, 2024.
The Memorial Ribbon is a folded blue ribbon on black backing with the Memorial logo in the center. We encourage the wearing of the ribbon in accordance with each individual services’ policies beginning Monday September 23 through the end of day Sunday September 29, 2024. Ribbons for your service can be acquired by visiting: memorialribbon.org
Complete information for the Memorial weekend (Honoured Officers, Parade Orders, Itinerary and Entertainment) can be found at https://cppom.ca/
June 6, 2022
Message from the Canadian Police and Peace Officer’s Memorial Service Coordinator
Dear friends and family,
I am happy to announce that we are planning a return to a full service this year, September 25th,
2022 at 11am in Ottawa, Ontario on Parliament Hill.
We are working diligently with our partners to ensure we can once again gather on the front lawn of Parliament Hill to honour the officers who we have lost these past nearly three years. This service will give us the opportunity to embrace the families and loved ones of those fallen officers with a fitting tribute to their sacrifice.
Plans are in the works to return to a full Regimental Parade along Wellington Street up onto the front lawn; a non-denominational memorial service; presentation of headdress and March Past at the conclusion of the service.
We will, of course, continue to make the service accessible via a live social media broadcast for those who cannot make the journey.
Please join us September 25 in Ottawa as we pay tribute to our officers and their families as their names will be enshrined forever on the Memorial Tablets on the bluff overlooking the Ottawa River in our Nation’s Capital.
As service coordinator, I sincerely appreciate the support and patience you all demonstrated these past few years to keep the collective memory of our fallen officers alive.
Fraternally,
S/Sgt. Steve Boucher, M.O.M.
CPPOM Service Coordinator
September 16, 2021
Update on the 2021 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial
Dear Friends and Colleagues.
Sunday September 26th is fast approaching and we are busy finalizing the last few details on this years’ service. As you can imagine, the pandemic continues to impact our planning.
The 44th Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will take place again this year at the Summer Pavilion, next to the Memorial tablets behind Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The area will be restricted to access by invite only for the duration of the service.
We have been granted permission to install a video wall on the West Lawn where anyone can attend and participate in person. While that area will be open to anyone, pandemic restrictions will still apply.
We encourage any police and peace officers’ intent on attending the West Lawn to wear their #1 dress. We will arrange attendees in rank and file for the service.
There will be no parade or March Past again this year.
Please also note that all buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct remain closed. Therefore, there will also be no reception following the service.
The pathways leading to the Summer Pavilion and Memorial Tablets will be closed starting at 8:00am.
The Order of Service will remain as in years past. The Reading of the Names will start at 9:00am. The Memorial Service will begin at 11:00am.
The pathways and area around the Summer Pavilion and Memorial Tablets will reopen at the conclusion of the Service.
The Memorial Service will be broadcast live and can be viewed by going to this link: https://cppom.ca/live
I thank you for your continued patience as well as your support for our fallen officers and their families.
Stay healthy and stay safe.
Steve Boucher, M.O.M.
Ottawa Police Service, Ceremonial Sergeant Major
Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service, Coordinator
Update on the 2021 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial
Dear Friends and Colleagues.
Sunday September 26th is fast approaching and we are busy finalizing the last few details on this years’ service. As you can imagine, the pandemic continues to impact our planning.
The 44th Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will take place again this year at the Summer Pavilion, next to the Memorial tablets behind Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The area will be restricted to access by invite only for the duration of the service.
We have been granted permission to install a video wall on the West Lawn where anyone can attend and participate in person. While that area will be open to anyone, pandemic restrictions will still apply.
We encourage any police and peace officers’ intent on attending the West Lawn to wear their #1 dress. We will arrange attendees in rank and file for the service.
There will be no parade or March Past again this year.
Please also note that all buildings in the Parliamentary Precinct remain closed. Therefore, there will also be no reception following the service.
The pathways leading to the Summer Pavilion and Memorial Tablets will be closed starting at 8:00am.
The Order of Service will remain as in years past. The Reading of the Names will start at 9:00am. The Memorial Service will begin at 11:00am.
The pathways and area around the Summer Pavilion and Memorial Tablets will reopen at the conclusion of the Service.
The Memorial Service will be broadcast live and can be viewed by going to this link: https://cppom.ca/live
I thank you for your continued patience as well as your support for our fallen officers and their families.
Stay healthy and stay safe.
Steve Boucher, M.O.M.
Ottawa Police Service, Ceremonial Sergeant Major
Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service, Coordinator
2021-03-08
PEACE OFFICER EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDAL BUMPER STICKER
Special offer for CBSA Retirees' Association Members – For each Large sticker purchased receive a free Small sticker. (Name and member number must be provided at time of order). Non-CBSA RA members may still purchase at full price. Proceeds will be donated to CPOMA.
For further details on pricing, payment and how to order please visit www.cbsaretirees.ca
Many thanks to the CBSA Retirees' Association for their support!
PEACE OFFICER EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDAL BUMPER STICKER
Special offer for CBSA Retirees' Association Members – For each Large sticker purchased receive a free Small sticker. (Name and member number must be provided at time of order). Non-CBSA RA members may still purchase at full price. Proceeds will be donated to CPOMA.
For further details on pricing, payment and how to order please visit www.cbsaretirees.ca
Many thanks to the CBSA Retirees' Association for their support!
2020-09-17
Watch 2020 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at 11am Sunday September 27, 2020. Link to watch will be posted online on the following page: cppom.ca/live/
Watch 2020 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at 11am Sunday September 27, 2020. Link to watch will be posted online on the following page: cppom.ca/live/
2020-08-03
Update – 2020 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
Dear Colleagues,
As I mentioned in my last update, our Memorial Committee has met and made the difficult decision to proceed with a virtual ceremony this year, which will be live-streamed from Parliament Hill on Sunday, September 27. While Ontario has moved into Phase 3 of the province’s re-opening plan, we do not believe we can safely hold a large-scale event under the circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We will be conducting this year’s ceremony in a very similar fashion to past years' events. The morning will start with a solemn reading of the names of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and will include the same familiar elements of previous services. Additional details regarding how to join us, virtually, will be provided as soon as they become available.
While the lawns and public spaces of Parliament Hill will be open to the public, all buildings will remain closed. We do not wish to prohibit people from traveling and paying their respects, however, we also do not wish to encourage unnecessary travel or invite any large gatherings in the interest of public health and safety, given the ongoing pandemic.
The service itself will take place in the Summer Pavilion adjacent the tablets overlooking the bluff onto the Ottawa River. The area is quite small and will only accommodate the small number of people essential to run the service.
Due to construction, the area is only accessible by two small paths on the east and west side of Parliament Hill. Those pathways will be closed by Parliamentary Protective Services, with admission to the area by invitation and confirmed with valid identification.
The area will be closed from approximately 8am until the conclusion of the service. The ongoing construction footprint provides a significant physical and visual barrier such that anyone wishing to attend the Hill on their own will unfortunately not be able to see or hear the service. We are investigating the possibility of installing a sound system at strategic points around the Hill for anyone who happens to be in the public spaces to hear, however that capability is yet to be confirmed.
I should note that we have consulted with the families of the two officers who were to be honoured this year, Constable Allan Poapst, and Constable Heidi Stevenson, and they have indicated their strong preference to avoid travel to Ottawa this year, and will instead join us in 2021, when we will, hopefully, be back to normal operations, however both of their sacrifices will be acknowledged during the service this year.
I hope you will all understand this decision was not made easily and with heavy heart. We certainly look forward to having as many of you as possible join us next year, under hopefully more favourable health and safety circumstances.
As I mentioned, additional information regarding the virtual ceremony will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Regards,
S/Sgt. Steve Boucher, M.O.M.
Memorial Service Coordinator
Update – 2020 Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
Dear Colleagues,
As I mentioned in my last update, our Memorial Committee has met and made the difficult decision to proceed with a virtual ceremony this year, which will be live-streamed from Parliament Hill on Sunday, September 27. While Ontario has moved into Phase 3 of the province’s re-opening plan, we do not believe we can safely hold a large-scale event under the circumstances of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We will be conducting this year’s ceremony in a very similar fashion to past years' events. The morning will start with a solemn reading of the names of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and will include the same familiar elements of previous services. Additional details regarding how to join us, virtually, will be provided as soon as they become available.
While the lawns and public spaces of Parliament Hill will be open to the public, all buildings will remain closed. We do not wish to prohibit people from traveling and paying their respects, however, we also do not wish to encourage unnecessary travel or invite any large gatherings in the interest of public health and safety, given the ongoing pandemic.
The service itself will take place in the Summer Pavilion adjacent the tablets overlooking the bluff onto the Ottawa River. The area is quite small and will only accommodate the small number of people essential to run the service.
Due to construction, the area is only accessible by two small paths on the east and west side of Parliament Hill. Those pathways will be closed by Parliamentary Protective Services, with admission to the area by invitation and confirmed with valid identification.
The area will be closed from approximately 8am until the conclusion of the service. The ongoing construction footprint provides a significant physical and visual barrier such that anyone wishing to attend the Hill on their own will unfortunately not be able to see or hear the service. We are investigating the possibility of installing a sound system at strategic points around the Hill for anyone who happens to be in the public spaces to hear, however that capability is yet to be confirmed.
I should note that we have consulted with the families of the two officers who were to be honoured this year, Constable Allan Poapst, and Constable Heidi Stevenson, and they have indicated their strong preference to avoid travel to Ottawa this year, and will instead join us in 2021, when we will, hopefully, be back to normal operations, however both of their sacrifices will be acknowledged during the service this year.
I hope you will all understand this decision was not made easily and with heavy heart. We certainly look forward to having as many of you as possible join us next year, under hopefully more favourable health and safety circumstances.
As I mentioned, additional information regarding the virtual ceremony will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
Regards,
S/Sgt. Steve Boucher, M.O.M.
Memorial Service Coordinator
2020-06-17
Message from the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial
Message from the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial
Dear friends,
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update regarding the preparations for this year’s Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial ceremony, particularly given the ongoing concerns about the health and safety of participants in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The Memorial Committee met this week to discuss our options, and the Board has decided that while we are still unable to confirm the specific logistics around this year’s event, we can confirm that it is going to be impossible for us to organize and host our usual full Regimental memorial ceremony. Obviously this is disappointing news for all of us, but we feel this is the right decision under these difficult circumstances.
The Memorial Board is working hard to find an appropriate and dignified way to honour our fallen colleagues this year, and we will make every effort to ensure that civilian and sworn police and peace officer personnel from across the country are able to participate, with a livestream of the event. I hope to be able to share additional information before the end of July, as we see the results of Ontario’s phased re-opening, which will heavily influence the decisions around what form this year’s ceremony will take.
Thank you all for your continued support of our event, and I look forward to seeing everyone back in Ottawa in 2021.
Regards,
Steve Boucher
Memorial Service Coordinator
2020-05-27
The Canadian Peace Officers' Memorial Association(CPOMA) is actively looking for volunteers to join their Board of Directors. The criteria to join is to be an Active or Retired sworn peace officer from a recognized peace officer agency across Canada.
CPOMA pays tribute to the fallen peace officers who have been killed in the performance of their duties. On the last Sunday in September each year, a Memorial Service is held on Parliament Hill honouring both, fallen peace and police officers.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact by email the President of CPOMA, Chantal Lewis.
Thank you in advance for your interest and support to CPOMA.
The Canadian Peace Officers' Memorial Association(CPOMA) is actively looking for volunteers to join their Board of Directors. The criteria to join is to be an Active or Retired sworn peace officer from a recognized peace officer agency across Canada.
CPOMA pays tribute to the fallen peace officers who have been killed in the performance of their duties. On the last Sunday in September each year, a Memorial Service is held on Parliament Hill honouring both, fallen peace and police officers.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact by email the President of CPOMA, Chantal Lewis.
Thank you in advance for your interest and support to CPOMA.
2019-11-15
The Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial is now back at its original location near the Summer Pavilion on Parliament Hill. The memorial was temporarily moved in 2016 to allow for major construction projects nearby.
As a lasting tribute, the names of fallen officers from all areas of law enforcement across the country are displayed on the glass panels.
The Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial is now back at its original location near the Summer Pavilion on Parliament Hill. The memorial was temporarily moved in 2016 to allow for major construction projects nearby.
As a lasting tribute, the names of fallen officers from all areas of law enforcement across the country are displayed on the glass panels.
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2019-10-24
Mr. Gaston Ethier, President of the Canadian Peace Officers’ Memorial Association presents the 2019 Vince Murray Memorial Bursary to Miss Keara Zinkhan-Zoerb during the 42nd Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Ottawa, Canada on Sunday, September 29, 2019. Miss Zinkhan-Zoerb is the daughter of Correctional Officer 2 Lesa Zoerb who was tragically killed in the line of duty on October 7, 2018 while acting in her official capacity with the Correctional Service of Canada. Assisting in the presentation is Chantal Lewis, CPOMA Secretary and Peter Ruttan, Vice-President of CPOMA. Accompanying Ms. Zinkhan-Zoerb is her brother Russell and father David.
Mr. Gaston Ethier, President of the Canadian Peace Officers’ Memorial Association presents the 2019 Vince Murray Memorial Bursary to Miss Keara Zinkhan-Zoerb during the 42nd Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Ottawa, Canada on Sunday, September 29, 2019. Miss Zinkhan-Zoerb is the daughter of Correctional Officer 2 Lesa Zoerb who was tragically killed in the line of duty on October 7, 2018 while acting in her official capacity with the Correctional Service of Canada. Assisting in the presentation is Chantal Lewis, CPOMA Secretary and Peter Ruttan, Vice-President of CPOMA. Accompanying Ms. Zinkhan-Zoerb is her brother Russell and father David.
2019-10-14
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
On the CPOMA Honour Roll, we are unfortunately missing photos for 58 of the 152 peace officers honoured. We would really like to get a photo for each and everyone of them as they truly deserve it. So if you have a photo to provide for an officer or know someone who may have one, we would really appreciate you to email us at [email protected]
Please see the following link for the list https://www.cpoma.ca/missing-photos.html
Thank you in advance for your collaboration!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
On the CPOMA Honour Roll, we are unfortunately missing photos for 58 of the 152 peace officers honoured. We would really like to get a photo for each and everyone of them as they truly deserve it. So if you have a photo to provide for an officer or know someone who may have one, we would really appreciate you to email us at [email protected]
Please see the following link for the list https://www.cpoma.ca/missing-photos.html
Thank you in advance for your collaboration!
2019-09-30
Please find the links for the Facebook Live Videos of the 2019 Reading of the Honour Roll of fallen officers and Memorial Service:
Reading of the Honour Roll
Memorial Service
Please find the links for the Facebook Live Videos of the 2019 Reading of the Honour Roll of fallen officers and Memorial Service:
Reading of the Honour Roll
Memorial Service
2019-08-23
- Please visit www.thememorial.ca/memorial/index/service for all the details on the 2019 Memorial Weekend.
2019-06-19
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, a presentation of a survivor's cheque and CPOMA Challenge Coins was made to the next of kin of Older Sister (Correctional Officer 2) Lesa Zoerb. Lesa, who worked for the Correctional Service of Canada was killed in the line of duty on October 7, 2018 in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Pictured (Left - Right) Russell Zoerb (son); Peter Ruttan, Vice-President of CPOMA; and Keara Zoerb (daughter). During this ceremony, the family was also presented (posthumously) with Lesa's Corrections Exemplary Service Medal and her numbered badge which has been retired.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, a presentation of a survivor's cheque and CPOMA Challenge Coins was made to the next of kin of Older Sister (Correctional Officer 2) Lesa Zoerb. Lesa, who worked for the Correctional Service of Canada was killed in the line of duty on October 7, 2018 in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Pictured (Left - Right) Russell Zoerb (son); Peter Ruttan, Vice-President of CPOMA; and Keara Zoerb (daughter). During this ceremony, the family was also presented (posthumously) with Lesa's Corrections Exemplary Service Medal and her numbered badge which has been retired.
2019-03-02
The deadline to submit an application for the 2019 Vince Murray Memorial Scholarship is May 31, 2019.
The deadline to submit an application for the 2019 Vince Murray Memorial Scholarship is May 31, 2019.
2019-01-25
CPOMA is proud to announce that Wawanesa Canada, the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU PS/GE) and Canada Border Services' employees (CBSA) have made a donation to financially support the Vince Murray Scholarship.
The CPOMA Scholarship Program is an extension of the association’s mandate to promote the national recognition of fallen peace officers by providing financial support for affected families with dependants enrolled full time in a post secondary educational institution. The program consists of up to three (3) $1000 National Scholarships awarded annually to dependent children of peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and who are part of a CPOMA member organization.
CPOMA is proud to announce that Wawanesa Canada, the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU PS/GE) and Canada Border Services' employees (CBSA) have made a donation to financially support the Vince Murray Scholarship.
The CPOMA Scholarship Program is an extension of the association’s mandate to promote the national recognition of fallen peace officers by providing financial support for affected families with dependants enrolled full time in a post secondary educational institution. The program consists of up to three (3) $1000 National Scholarships awarded annually to dependent children of peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and who are part of a CPOMA member organization.
2018-10-19
Today we celebrate the life and service of fallen Canadian Correctional Officer, Lesa Zoerb of the Correctional Service Canada. Funerals can be viewed on Facebook Live at the following links:
Video no 1
Video no 2
Today we celebrate the life and service of fallen Canadian Correctional Officer, Lesa Zoerb of the Correctional Service Canada. Funerals can be viewed on Facebook Live at the following links:
Video no 1
Video no 2
2018-10-13
On October 7, 2018 at approximately 8:00 pm, 50 year old Correctional Officer Lesa Zoerb died after being involved in a two vehicle motor vehicle incident while returning to the Correctional Service of Canada’s Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge (OOHL) in Saskatchewan.
Correctional Officer Zoerb was returning to OOHL from the local hospital, where she was supervising an offender. While travelling on Highway 21, just north of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, she was involved in a two vehicle motor vehicle incident. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Regina Hospital.
Correctional Officer Lesa Zoerb spent her entire 20-year public service career at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. Lesa is survived by her two children. Our condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues.
On October 7, 2018 at approximately 8:00 pm, 50 year old Correctional Officer Lesa Zoerb died after being involved in a two vehicle motor vehicle incident while returning to the Correctional Service of Canada’s Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge (OOHL) in Saskatchewan.
Correctional Officer Zoerb was returning to OOHL from the local hospital, where she was supervising an offender. While travelling on Highway 21, just north of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, she was involved in a two vehicle motor vehicle incident. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Regina Hospital.
Correctional Officer Lesa Zoerb spent her entire 20-year public service career at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. Lesa is survived by her two children. Our condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues.
