KAWARTHA LAKES-A seven seven-year veteran of the RCMP was killed in the line of duty on Friday.
Cst. Rick (Frederick) O’Brien was 51 years old, with a wife and children. He was born in Ottawa, He joined the RCMP in 2016 and just celebrated his 7th year of service a few days ago. All of his service with the RCMP has with at Ridge Meadows Detachment as a frontline officer and in community policing. Officials say within months of starting though he was involved in the rescue of a home invasion victims, which included a child and the arrest of armed suspects. He received a CO Commendation for Bravery and a provincial award for those efforts.
“This is an extremely difficult and tragic day for the members of the Ridge Meadows Detachment, Coquitlam RCMP where the incident occurred, and the greater BC RCMP and RCMP family.” stated Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, the Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP. “Cst. O’Brien led by example, and had a great sense of humour. He was well-respected by his peers and the community.”
McDonald says that at approximately 10:00 am Ridge Meadows RCMP were executing a search warrant on a residence near the intersection of Pine Tree Way and Glen Drive in Coquitlam, B.C. While there, the attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured – including one member and the suspect being shot. Emergency Health Services transported all injured to hospital, but the officer succumbed to his injuries at the scene. One injured officer was treated for minor injuries and is with family. The other is still in hospital with non-life threatening injuries according to the RCMP.
The male suspect is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) is now investigating the incident as it relates to police actions. A concurrent investigation into the homicide of Cst. O’Brien and the injuries to our two other members is also underway and will be conducted by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
“We all join in expressing our heartfelt condolences to Cst. O’Brien’s family.” expressed McDonald.
Our condolences to family, friends and colleagues at the RCMP.
