Ridge Meadows RCMP officer killed in the line of duty remembered for his bravery and kindness

Tributes are pouring in for Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien, the officer who was tragically killed in Coquitlam on Friday morning.

Mounties say the 51-year-old officer was shot and killed in the line of duty while conducting a search warrant as part of a larger investigation. Two other officers were hospitalized with injuries.

O’Brien is being remembered as a loving father, husband, and officer who “led by example.” Mounties say he was born in Ottawa and is survived by his wife and two children.

“He had a great sense of humour. He was well respected by his peers and he was loved in his community,” BC RCMP Commanding Officer Dwayne McDonald said in a media availability hours after O’Brien’s death.

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• Ridge Meadows RCMP officer killed in line of duty in Coquitlam

McDonald says O’Brien joined the Ridge Meadows RCMP in 2016 and was recognized early on for his work in helping rescue several victims from a home invasion — receiving a commendation from the RCMP for bravery, as well as a provincial award.

Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Wendy Mehat described the day as the most difficult in her career with the Mounties and says O’Brien’s loss will be felt deeply by his family, colleagues, and the community as a whole.

“Rick loved visiting schools and helping students, doing presentations, supporting our detachment food drives and sport events,” she said.

“He was a highly decorated police officer and he was recognized for his bravery. It was truly exceptional — a hard worker and a good human being.”

Mehat adds that O’Brien’s care for the younger generation began long before he joined the RCMP as well, as she says had a career supporting at-risk youth.

“It’s something he still felt very passionate about. Even as a frontline officer, he was constantly visiting schools in the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,” she said.

“His death is senseless and heartbreaking. He simply went to work today, and he was killed doing his duty and keeping his community safe. The hours weeks, and months ahead will be difficult to our communities in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, and across the country … I want to thank all of you for the outpouring of support. We know we’re not alone in our unbearable grief.”

In a post on X, the National Police Federation issued a statement saying it will “never forget” O’Brien’s sacrifice.

https://twitter.com/npffpn/status/1705389133408108723

The federation says it has launched a GoFundMe to collect funds for the officer’s family, it raised over $10,000 within three hours.

B.C. Premier David Eby says “Words cannot properly express our condolences to Constable O’Brien’s family and loved ones.

People across BC are shocked by the dreadful news that Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Rick O’Brien was killed while protecting Coquitlam residents this morning. Words cannot properly express our condolences to Constable O’Brien’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/y07SYQ28IE

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) September 23, 2023

B.C. public safety minister Mike Farnworth issued a statement on the officer’s death, saying he was “shocked and saddened” to learn about it.

“On behalf of all British Columbians, I offer my deepest condolences to Const. Rick O’Brien’s loved ones and colleagues. My thoughts are also with the other two officers who were wounded in this terrible incident,” he said.

From her previous job as an RCMP Sergeant, South Surrey MLA Eleanor Sturko says she knows how much O’Brien would’ve wanted and fought to go home at the end of the day, and it’s devastating this will never happen.

“This person woke up in the morning with their intent to do the right thing and to enforce the law and to do their very best for our province and their community, and knowing they have lost their life in service to us is very impactful,” she told CityNews. “They were just a regular person that went to work today, kissed their kids goodbye, and said ‘See you after work.'”

“I just can’t imagine the grief and suffering their family and loved ones must be going through right now, and I wish them the best and send them all the comfort I can.”

Sturko says that, when she was an officer, she would tuck a picture of her child in the inside rim of her hat — just in case.

A funeral procession for O’Brien began in Coquitlam on Friday evening, making its way through Maple Ridge and into Abbotsford.

Motorists, please be advised that the funeral procession for Constable Rick O'Brien will be departing from Coquitlam shortly, heading east through Maple Ridge via Lougheed Hwy and Dewdney Trunk Road, until arrival in Abbotsford. Thank you for your patience and your support. pic.twitter.com/XS2T1m4FWg

— Ridge Meadows RCMP (@RidgeRCMP) September 23, 2023

O’Brien’s adds to most police deaths in a year of Canada’s history: McDonald

As McDonald explains, Cst. Rick O’Brien’s death adds to a devastating list of police officers who have lost their lives in the last year.

“Within the last 12 months, I believe we’ve hit the tragic record of the most deaths of police officers in this country in history,” he said.

“We must do everything necessary to support our members, their families, and our community … While many who serve and protect will never have to pay the ultimate sacrifice — as they do an incredible and life-changing job every day — a day like today reminds us of how dangerous this job can be and the ultimate price that is often paid and service to our communities.”

McDonald says he was in Regina ten days prior, where a ceremony was held for fallen Mounties.

“Our RCMP family is once again gutted. We are just days away from the B.C. law enforcement memorial in Victoria where we honour our fallen, and we are just approaching the one-year anniversary of the murder of Const. (Shaelyn) Yang in Burnaby,” he said.

“We all wear that grief, we all wear those wounds. These are our friends, these are our colleagues, and we’re very close. So it hurts, it really hurts.”

With files from Greg Bowman, Liza Yuzda, Hana Mae Nassar, and Martin MacMahon