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The memorial ball hockey match will staff up officers with native youth at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge on Might 25.
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For Langley’s Nicole Longacre-O’Brien, the six months since her husband Rick O’Brien was killed within the line of responsibility have been nothing in need of insufferable.
“I’ve needed to take it hour by hour, day-to-day and even minute by minute,” she stated Saturday.
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The Ridge Meadows RCMP constable was shot and killed whereas serving a search warrant in Coquitlam final September. Ever since, his widow has been longing to discover a solution to memorialize her 51-year-old husband, who had an ardour for serving to kids and youth.
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“Rick being taken from us has left an enormous gap,” stated Longacre-O’Brien. Their blended household consists of six kids ranging in age from 14 to 25.
So, she launched the Joint Forces Basis, which units up leisure actions for police to construct relationships and belief with the subsequent technology.
“We purpose to see the subsequent technology of cops not solely as merely enforcers of the regulation however devoted companions in shaping a society the place each voice is heard, each particular person is valued and everybody feels protected,” Longacre-O’Brien stated.
The inspiration’s first occasion — a memorial ball hockey match on Might 25 — will characteristic cops from Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam and Langley staff up with youth at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge.
Registration for the match is now open. Dozens of Mounties and youth, between the ages six and 19 and of various talent ranges, have already signed up. The goalies on every staff will likely be native firefighters.
“Rick lived and breathed hockey,” stated Longacre-O’Brien, who recollects attending an NFL recreation with O’Brien a number of weeks earlier than his dying.
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“We have been on the practice to the Seattle Seahawks recreation. Unexpectedly, I regarded over and he’s bought two little boys laughing and joking round with him. Even when he wasn’t in uniform, he had this present of with the ability to join with kids and youth.”
The charity’s mission shouldn’t be solely to assist younger folks, stated Longacre-O’Brien, but in addition first responders.
“Police solely get to see the unfavourable facet of society, it takes a psychological toll on them. These actions will enable the officers to be part of the neighborhood in a constructive method.”
Planning the occasion, Longacre-O’Brien stated, has been her manner of making certain that her final husband’s life and legacy shouldn’t be solely a tragic reminiscence for his kids.
“I need to see good come out of this tragedy.
“As I’ve sat at my pc and typed out emails or designed the occasion poster or logos, I’ve discovered a spot the place I’ve been in a position to pour all my love for Rick, and be capable of spend time with him too.”
O‘Brien was a devoted fan of the Detroit Pink Wings, Longacre-O’Brien stated.
“I used to name Rick Stats as a result of he may simply record off any type of hockey statistic you could possibly consider.”
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Born in Ottawa, O’Brien labored as an training assistant, psychological well being employee and youth employee earlier than he joined the pressure at age 44. Within months, he was bestowed a provincial commendation and medal of valour for saving the lives of a kid and different victims throughout an armed house invasion in Maple Ridge.
With the RCMP, he was assigned to the Uniformed Group Response Unit, which serves youth, the homeless, these with psychological well being points and First Nations folks locally, and helps basic responsibility members.
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sgrochowski@postmedia.com
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