After 30 years in the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), following three years with BC Corrections and 14 years with the Military Reserve, Sgt. Shawn Coady, Founder and President of the Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society, has put in his papers for retirement from the force.
During his time with the VPD, Shawn worked in Patrol, Investigations, and Support. He spent 25 years with the Public Safety Unit participating in many of the crowd management situations over that time, including a few riots and most of the Celebration of Light evenings. He also joined the Ceremonial Unit; Shawn plans to continue participating with the Unit after retiring. Shawn wrote many manuals and programs throughout his career and received many commendations and awards, including the Order of Police Merit and the Chief’s Commendation.
It was near the beginning of his career that Shawn and his wife, Diane, came up with the idea of the Memorial Ribbon, which has since become the official Canadian symbol of mourning whenever a Police or Peace Officer dies in the line of duty. Whenever an officer is killed while protecting their community, and during Memorial Week in September, you can observe thousands of officers and civilians wearing the Memorial Ribbon. Shawn has spent most of his professional life working on ensuring that fallen officers are always remembered, and that their children are given the opportunity to attend a post-secondary school anywhere in Canada, through the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship. Now that he has retired, Shawn plans on continuing volunteering with the Society for the next couple of years to bring a number of current objectives and programs to completion.
On his last day of work with the VPD, Shawn was able to participate in the First Responders’ Memorial Motorcade in Honour of Cst. Heidi Stevenson, while driving the loaned Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society vehicle.
The Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society would like to thank Shawn for his service to Canada, the Law Enforcement community, the citizens of Canada and especially for starting the Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society. You have changed the way people express their condolences and show support for the fallen. You have created a great legacy and we would like to thank you for continuing this great project.
The Memorial Ribbon Society wishes Shawn the best in his post-work life and hopes he finds time to relax and enjoy his well earned retirement.