Veterans past and present will be honoured this Remembrance Day.
But the call to pay respect to those men and women in the Canadian military, serving the country to protect the freedoms of its citizens also extends to those who serve as RCMP and police officers.
The actions of Kevin Vickers, the ninth and current Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, who ended the shootings at Parliament Hill Oct. 22 by killing accused gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau — whose alleged terrorist attack killed 24-year-old Corp. Nathan Cirillo — has reached global acknowledgement.
The Cochrane connection includes a nod from Robert (Bob) Head — an active volunteer and Cochrane resident who served 38 year as an RCMP officer (retiring in 1991).
Head, who was stationed as commander in the Northwest Territories (before it split into east and west) in 1985, remembers Vickers — who was a corporal at that time, in charge of the Pine Point Detachment (no longer in existence) on the south side of Great Slave Lake.
“I knew Kevin as a commander,” said Head, remembering the now world-famous hero to be a ‘good man’ who made a ‘favourable impression’ on him.
Although Head has not seen Vickers in a number of years, last remembering encountering him in the gallery at the House of Commons shortly after Vickers was commissioned there, he said the chief superintendant is a fine example of what it takes to serve one’s country.
“My reaction (upon learning of the events of Oct. 22) was one of satisfaction that Kevin had saved the lives of a number of prominent Canadians who we have sent to be lawmakers,” said Head.
“I’m not pleased that anyone loses their life, but I am pleased that we have people in service like Kevin.”
Head, who has two sons currently serving as RCMP officers, remarked that this code of ethics is just “instilled into use from day one. If you have to put your life on the line, you do so.”
“If you sign on to be a servant of the people, you have an obligation to the people you serve.”
For his actions, Vickers has been hailed a hero by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, other Canadian dignitaries and by the Canadian and international media.
