Family and friends of a fallen RCMP officer now have a place in Chilliwack to sit and remember someone they describe as a funny, kind and caring man.
Const. Rick O91裸聊视频橞rien Jr. of Langley, 51, in Coquitlam. Earlier in May, a bench was installed at Farifield Island Park in his memory.
91裸聊视频淚 love it. It means a lot,91裸聊视频� said 25-year-old daughter Cindy O91裸聊视频橞rien. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 something to remember my dad and my grandmother by. It91裸聊视频檚 a nice place to come and connect with them when I need to.91裸聊视频�
There are two plaques on the bench 91裸聊视频� one honouring Rick O91裸聊视频橞rien, and one engraved with his mother91裸聊视频檚 name, Patricia O91裸聊视频橞rien, who died a year earlier, almost to the day.
The bench was draped with a Canadian flag and unveiled on Tuesday, May 28. More than 50 people were in attendance, including about a dozen police officers.
Formerly of Chilliwack, O91裸聊视频橞rien was a Langley resident at the time of the fatal incident. He was a seven-year member with the Ridge Meadows RCMP and was one of several officers executing a search warrant on a residence in Coquitlam, near the intersection of Pinetree Way and Glen Drive on the evening of Friday, Sept. 22.
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Robyn Hall recalled hearing about the incident when it happened, but it didn91裸聊视频檛 dawn on her until later that she had a connection with O91裸聊视频橞rien. She realized she taught his children at Watson Elementary School in Chilliwack.
It was Hall91裸聊视频檚 idea to have a bench dedicated to O91裸聊视频橞rien. She contacted O91裸聊视频橞rien91裸聊视频檚 former colleague and teacher Steve Ball, and together they worked to raise money and get the bench installed. Ball started a GoFundMe and they ended up raising a bit more than the cost of the bench, so the remaining funds will go towards a bursary in O91裸聊视频橞rien91裸聊视频檚 name.
He joined the police force later in life, while he was in his 40s. Before that, he worked for many years in the Chilliwack School District as an education assistant (EA).
91裸聊视频淗e had a big tolerance for kids,91裸聊视频� said father Rick O91裸聊视频橞rien Sr.
He also had 91裸聊视频渨icked sense of humour,91裸聊视频� he added.
91裸聊视频淰ery sarcastic, too. You could throw a joke at him, and he91裸聊视频檒l snap right back with another one so quick. It was insane how he could come up with that kind of stuff so fast,91裸聊视频� recalled daughter Cindy.
Ball remembered how he and O91裸聊视频橞rien would play pranks on people together when they were teaching.
91裸聊视频淗e was good-natured, funny, caring. He91裸聊视频檇 do anything for anybody, especially kids. He was like a little kid,91裸聊视频� Ball said. 91裸聊视频淗e loved his job as an EA and always had the passion to become a police officer. Part of me wishes he was still an EA.91裸聊视频�
Daughter Cindy said what she misses the most is her father91裸聊视频檚 voice.
91裸聊视频淗e wasn91裸聊视频檛 just a dad, he was also a best friend, someone you could count on and rely on, especially if there were boys involved,91裸聊视频� she said.
Hall said the family knew right away where they wanted the bench. She recalled one of O91裸聊视频橞rien91裸聊视频檚 kids pointing to Fairfield Island Park on a map saying 91裸聊视频淩ight there. Right beside the playground because Dad loved kids.91裸聊视频�
Many family members live near the park and they go there frequently. The bench faces the playground in the southwest corner of the park.
O91裸聊视频橞rien91裸聊视频檚 sister, Cindy Niezen, spoke during the unveiling ceremony and acknowledged the officers in attendance.
91裸聊视频淲e, as a family, are very thankful for each and every member. We pray for you guys, we ask that you stay safe. We never imagined that this would happen to our family, but we feel like you guys are an extension of us and you will always be in our thoughts as we carry on each day without him,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淗e lives in our hearts and he lives in this bench. He will always be with us.91裸聊视频�
People can still donate to the GoFundMe and all money raised will go towards a bursaries for Chilliwack high school students. To donate, go to
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