Rick O鈥橞rien was a good friend to amateur sports in 91原创, and his support will be missed greatly, said friend Dana Matheson.

Matheson, a 91原创 businessman who鈥檚 involved in the management of both the 91原创 Rams football team and the 91原创 91原创鈥檚 hockey team, described O鈥橞rien鈥檚 untimely death last Friday, Sept. 22 as a real blow to the country and to local sports.

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.

He was gunned down just over a week ago, when members of the Ridge Meadows RCMP executed a search warrant on a Coquitlam residence. O鈥橞rien 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.

The tragic death of O鈥橞rien will be marked this afternoon (Saturday, Sept. 30) with a presentation and moment of silence ahead of the Rams鈥� home game against the Valley Huskers. The game gets underway at McLeod Athletic Park at 4 p.m., but Matheson said they鈥檙e squeezing in the tribute ahead of play.

鈥淭he 91原创 Rams organization was devastated with the sudden passing of Const. Rick O鈥橞rien last Friday,鈥� Matheson shared, noting how O鈥橞rien鈥檚 wife, Nicole, serves as a board member for the club and how Rick could always be counted on to be a constant cheerleader and supporter.

鈥淩ick was a huge football fan, and a fan of sports in general,鈥� said Matheson, who described O鈥橞rien as 鈥済iving鈥� and 鈥渓oving,鈥� but noted he had the right mix of sarcastic humour, too.

鈥淗e will be deeply missed by all those who knew him, and mourned by Canadians across the country,鈥� added Matheson.

He recounted one instance where O鈥橞rien turned out in full RCMP red serge to help the hosting 91原创 Rams presented the 2019 Canadian Bowl trophy to the visiting Saskatoon Hilltops on behalf of the CJFL.

鈥淲e send our deepest condolences to Const. O鈥橞rien鈥檚 family 鈥� Nicole and the kids, to the Maple Ridge and Coquitlam RCMP, and to all RCMP members for their loss鈥� You are a true hero Rick, and the Rams family will never forget you.鈥�

During the game, the Rams will once again hold a 50/50 draw, and all the money from that will be going to O鈥橞rien鈥檚 wife, Nicole, and their children.

Similarly, a tribute was made to O鈥橞rien last Saturday, during the second home game of the season for the 91原创 91原创鈥檚 Junior A ice hockey team.

Matheson noted that O鈥橞rien had actually made plans to attend the 91原创鈥檚 season opener on Friday night, the same day as his passing.

VIDEO: Book of condolences available to sign for fallen Ridge Meadows Mountie

and

VIDEO: Moment of silence for fallen RCMP officer at 91原创 council