Mounties pay tribute to Constable Rick O’Brien on anniversary of his on-duty death

Sunday marks one year since Const. Frederick “Rick” O’Brien of the Ridge Meadows RCMP was killed in the line of duty.

“Constable O’Brien was best known for his desire to create a positive relationship between law enforcement and youth in our community,” the Ridge Meadows RCMP said Sunday.

“Constable O’Brien could often be found interacting with youth at schools or youth lounges in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Constable O’Brien will always be remembered as kind and compassionate, with an incredibly witty sense of humour. Constable O’Brien was very much a family man, and a lover of sports.”

BC RCMP Commanding Officer Dwayne McDonald said last year that O’Brien 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.

The 51-year-old constable worked with the Ridge Meadows detachment for seven years before his death.

O’Brien was killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam on Sept. 22, 2023.

Over the past year, events have been held in his honour, including the Joint Forces Jambouree and the unveiling of the Pitt Meadows Youth Lounge, which has been renamed Constable Rick O’Brien Youth Lounge.

As well, this month, he is being honoured across the country with acknowledgements on various memorials.

“Police gathered at the Ridge Meadow’s RCMP detachment Friday to remember Constable Rick O’Brien. This month, O’Brien’s name was added to the Honour Roll and Memorial Wall at RCMP Depot Division in Regina,” the RCMP said Sunday.

“This September, Constable O’Brien’s name was added to the Honour Roll and Memorial Wall at RCMP Depot Division in Regina. His name will also be added to the BC Law Enforcement Memorial in Victoria and to the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial in Ottawa later this month.”

O’Brien left behind his wife Nicole and their three children.