Langley Times, November 22, 2012

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Times The Langley

In the Swim page 50

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Sea of red serge at LEC for fallen Mountie Hundreds of colleagues, thousands of mourners at funeral for young officer

Kevin DiaKiw Black Press

Evan SEAL/Black Press photos

Top: RCMP officers in red serge march with the hearse carrying the body of Const. Adrian Oliver. The procession made its way to LEC where thousands attended a funeral service for the 28-year-old who died in a two-vehicle crash on Nov. 13; Above: Const. Benjamin Oliver wipes away a tear as the honour guard bearing his twin brother’s casket passes.

The funeral for Surrey RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver at the Langley Events Centre Tuesday attracted a huge crowd of fellow RCMP members, including the commissioner of the force, Bob Paulson. Thousands of uniformed Mounties and other emergency responders turned out to pay their respects to the fallen officer, who died in a vehicle collision in Surrey on Tuesday, Nov. 13. A full march of uniformed members of the RCMP as well as other B.C., national and international emergency services personnel took place prior to the service. The red-jacketed Mounties marched out of the events centre parking lot along 202A Street and 80 Avenue before heading back in for the service, held in the arena bowl. Oliver received a full RCMP regimental funeral — second only to a

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state funeral. Dignitaries at the service besides Paulson included Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer for the B.C. RCMP; Assistant Commissioner Norm Lipinski, Lower Mainland District Commander; Chief Supt. Bill Fordy, Officer in Charge of Surrey detachment; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond; Surrey Mayor Diane Watts; and Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman. Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, whose son is an RCMP member, also attended. He said later that the event was very humbling — the show of force was impressive, but the death of a young Mountie was tragic. Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese was also on hand. Speakers included Oliver’s fiancée Shelagh Mitchell, also a Mountie, and his twin brother, RCMP Const. Benjamin Oliver. Numerous law enforcement and public safety agencies from Canada,

the U.S. and Australia were also in attendance. RCMP Chaplain Jim Turner presided over the service. The 28-year-old Oliver had been with the Surrey RCMP for more than three years. He was on duty when his unmarked police vehicle and a semi-trailer collided in the intersection of 64 Avenue and 148 Street in Newton. Oliver’s stepfather is also a serving member of the RCMP. Oliver was heading back to the Surrey RCMP detachment on 56 Avenue and 144 Street at the end of his shift when the fatal crash occurred. The police vehicle was reportedly driving west on 64 Avenue while the transport truck was driving east. There is no indication Oliver’s vehicle’s lights or sirens were activated at the time. Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge, Supt. Fordy called Oliver “an outstanding police officer, with a great attitude and commitment to serve others.” — with files from Frank Bucholtz

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