91原创 Rams held a pre-game tribute and moment of silence for fallen RCMP officer Rick O鈥橞rien on Saturday, Sept. 30 at McLeod Athletic Park in 91原创.
His wife, Nicole Longacre O鈥橞rien, and daughter Taylor Longacre, were present at field side, and could be seen hugging each other close and dabbing at their eyes as they stood with team president Dana Matheson, his wife Laurel, and family friend Kimberly Hundley.
On Monday, an online message posted by Nicole said 鈥淚 wanted to take a moment to personally thank my friends and my community for all the love and support that has been outpouring for Rick and I. Being involved in our communities has always been so important to both us.鈥�
鈥淭hank you again for all the condolences and messages,鈥� she added.
鈥淭hey have truly warmed my heart. I feel very loved and supported.鈥�
O鈥橞rien was a 51-year-old Willoughby father of six, who worked for the past seven years as a Ridge Meadows RCMP constable.
Rams announcer Derek Slavin read the tribute to the fallen officer over the stadium public address system
鈥淗e was a very giving and loving husband, father, brother, and son,鈥� to whom family was 鈥渋ncredibly important,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淗e will be deeply missed by all those who knew him, and more by Canadians across the country.鈥�
O鈥橞rien, a Rams supporter, had presented the 2019 Canadian Bowl Trophy to Saskatoon Hilltops on behalf of the Canadian Junior Football League.
鈥淲e send our deepest condolences to Constable O鈥橞rien鈥檚 family, Nicole and the kids, to the Maple Ridge RCMP, and to all RCMP members for their loss,鈥� the tribute went on to say.
鈥淲e also wish a full and speedy recovery to our two injured members.You are a true hero, Rick, and the Rams family will never forget you.鈥�
A moment of silence followed.
A 50-50 draw for the family raised a record amount of just over $4,400, with half going to the O鈥橞riens.
Matheson called the memorial presentation 鈥渧ery touching鈥� and thanked the community for their support.
O鈥橞rien was shot when members of the Ridge Meadows RCMP executed a search warrant on a Coquitlam residence on Friday, Sept. 22.
He was declared dead at the scene. Two other officers were taken to hospital and later released, one suffering from a gunshot wound, the other from a non-firearm injury.
The suspect was also shot, and taken to hospital.
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On Wednesday, Oct. 4, a regimental funeral will be held for O鈥橞rien at 91原创 Events Centre at 2 p.m.
The funeral will include a procession as well as a memorial service with a final salute for Const. O鈥橞rien.
Seating inside the facility will be reserved for family, invited guests, designated officials, and uniformed first responders participating in the funeral march.
But members of the public will be able to watch the procession along 202A Street as first responders will march northbound, starting at 76th Avenue and continuing all the way to the LEC.
Temporary road closures will be in effect at:
鈥� 80th Avenue, between 200th Street and 204th Street
鈥� 76th Avenue, between 200th Street and 202A Street
鈥� 202A Street, between 74B Avenue and 80th Avenue
The actual funeral will also be shown on several television networks, in addition to a livestream hosted by the RCMP at .
Members of the public are being asked to wear red on Oct. 4 instead of purchasing flowers or other gifts.
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