The 2022 Annual Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament fundraiser will be held August 12, 2022. The Tournament will be hosted at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club, and will help raise $25,000 for the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship.
Registration is now open. Visit https://www.memorialribbon.org/golf/ to learn more or to register.
The annual Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament is now open for registration. This year’s fundraiser is set for the beautiful course at Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club in Coquitlam. There will only be space for 144 golfers plus up to 50 seats for dinner only.
The goal is to raise $25,000 to allow five children of fallen officers attend a post secondary institute anywhere in Canada in 2021. You can help – register today!
We will have both an on-line auction as well as a live auction in the evening. More details will be forthcoming.
For registration or more details please go to https://www.memorialribbon.org/golf/.
If you are unable to attend the tournament but wish to support this great cause, you can make a donation at https://www.memorialribbon.org/donate/.
The Founder and President of the Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society recently sat down for a conversation with Christian Lane on the Team Ten Eight podcast (https://teamteneight.com/). Team Ten Eight is dedicated to the people who serve and sacrifice to keep us healthy, safe and secure. The podcast conversation covered the Memorial Ribbon Society, the Vancouver Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, as well as Shawn’s journey with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Listen to the podcast at https://teamteneight.com/podcast.
The Federal Government’s Memorial Grant Program for First Responders will provide a one-time lump sum, tax-free direct maximum payment of $300,000 to the families of first responders who have died as a result of their duties.
On December 21, 2020 a planned expansion to include the families of correctional, parole and probation officers was announced. Eligible families will be able to begin applying in early 2021. More information will be available soon.
Please visit https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/bt/mmrl-grnt-prgrm/index-en.aspx for details.
The Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society has created the Memorial Ribbon Morale Patch, now available through our online store at https://www.memorialribbon.org/store/. The patch can be warn on an external carrier, duty bag, field book, or anywhere you wish to show your support for fallen officers. We have tried to keep the cost low with all proceeds going towards the Society’s six main objectives:
Visit the Memorial Ribbon Society online store at https://www.memorialribbon.org/store/ to purchase your Memorial Ribbon Morale Patch today.
The Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC have voiced their full support for all police officers, during these trying times where some police officers and departments / agencies have become the focus of very negative words / beliefs / social media. We thank the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC you for their letter of support. Read the letter of support (PDF).
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.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament 2020 has been cancelled. The Society has chosen to cancel this year’s tournament with the goal of keeping golfers, volunteers, staff, and their families safe from possible exposure to this virus.
With the help of our volunteers, sponsors and golfers, last year’s inaugural fundraiser was a huge success, allowing the Society to support four children of fallen officers to attend a Canadian post-secondary institution of their choosing. The 2020 fundraiser was to expand on that success, with the goal of supporting five children. Although there is no tournament this year, we could still use your help; if you wish to support the Scholarship, please donate on our website at https://www.memorialribbon.org/donate/.
We plan on holding the 2021 Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament toward the end of August, at the same location of Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam. Please keep an eye out for more information as we approach the end of this year.
Thank you for your support and stay safe.
The Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society received a large cheque from the Edmonton Police Service Constables Lounge. This was a great surprise and will go directly to the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship which in turn will support the children of fallen officers attend a Post Secondary institution of their choice. We would like to thank the Constables Lounge and members for their generous donation. Please read the background of their work towards raising these funds.
For over the past ten years time, the Edmonton Police Service Constable’s Lounge Executive Committee has maintained the lead as the organizer and host for the Alberta Police Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament, which draws golfers from across Alberta, always coincides with the Alberta Police and Peace Officer Memorial day which takes place each year on the last Sunday in September at the Alberta Legislature Grounds. The tournament brings together Police and civilians alike to remember and honour fallen officer’s in a setting which lends itself to a good-time; boosting morale and comradery.
As one can imagine, or maybe even experienced; this weekend is always a mixed bag in terms of the weather. We’ve experienced everything from snow, wind, and rain to sunny warm fall days. Whatever the weather, we always have a turn-out of supportive and dedicated golfers partaking in this important Memorial weekend event.
Over the recent years, the EPS Constable’s Lounge Executive Committee, comprised of sworn EPS member volunteers, have endeavoured to continue to support the Alberta Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day and what this day represents to us in Law Enforcement. The Memorial Ribbon Society, sometimes referred to as the Police Officer’s Benevolent fund, is where our proceeds from this tournament are donated.
As a result of hard work and collective decision making by past and present members of the EPS Constable’s Lounge Executive Committee, the last two year’s of the golf tournament’s have resulted in significant overages. This has culminated in the EPS Constable’s Lounge presenting the Memorial Ribbon Society with a cheque for $10, 500.00 on February 4, 2020. As you can see in the attached photo, many of the EPS Constable’s Lounge Executive Committee members were in attendance for a cheque presentation, along with Chief of Police Dale McFee.
It was a humbling moment for members of the Executive Committee to see years of hard work and progressive ideas result in such a significant donation. A donation that is reportedly the largest the Memorial Ribbon Society has received to date. This event, and what it represents is held close to the hearts of all involved in the planning, preparation, and execution. Our service is not alone when it comes to experiencing tragedy, and seeing a colleague make the ultimate sacrifice. As a committee, we believe it is important and incumbent upon us to always remember and recognize our fallen members.
The EPS Constable’s Lounge Executive Committee would like to recognize and extend a thank-you to the following groups and individuals for there continuous support and generosity over the past several years. Memorial weekend, and the Alberta Police Memorial Golf Tournament would not be possible without your continued involvement: Edmonton Police Service Chief’s Committee; Edmonton Police Service Sergeant’s Mess; Edmonton Police Association; Alberta Federation of Police Associations; The Alberta Police Memorial Planning Committee; Edmonton Police Service Corps Sergeant Major; Alberta Police Service, Peace Officer, and Military members; EPS Veteran’s Association; Edmonton Garrison Memorial Golf and Curling Club; and the Edmonton Police Service Constable’s Lounge membership.
Save the date! The Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society will be holding its Second Annual Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament fundraiser on August 28, 2020. This year’s tournament will take place at the amazing Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club. More details to follow soon.
The inaugural Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Golf Tournament was a huge success. We managed to obtain a large number of sponsors and corporate supporters as well as sell out, having a full 144 golfers come out and support this great cause.
The day was clear and a warm 26 degrees Celsius; which made for fast greens. Everyone showed up early and registration and assignments went with very few hiccups. The tee-off went out at 1:15 PM with three hole-in-one sponsors, including a Barnes Harley Davidson 2019 HD Heritage Classic, an all expense paid trip for two to Maui or Kona from Travel Best Bets and Travel Brands, as well as $35,000 cash from Millennium Logo gloves. Unfortunately, no one won these prizes; so maybe next year? The Range also sponsored the Longest Drive (Male and Female) contest, with the winners receiving $200 gift certificates to the Range in Langley. The golfers spent the afternoon having a great time on the fairways, and then came in for the amazing buffet dinner and silent/live auctions.
Our Emcee John Daly started the evening by selling spots in line to get the dinner, and managed to raise almost $800 (thank you very much!). We had many silent auction items as well as a few live auction items.
We had three amazing speakers talk about the impact the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society and the Society’s Scholarship program has had on their lives after experiencing the tragedy of losing a loved one. Chief Constable Mike Serr of Abbotsford PD started, followed by Survivor Fay Davidson (daughter of Abbotsford Constable John Davidson, murdered in 2017). It was Fay’s first time speaking about the tragedy, and she spoke from the heart. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The third speaker was Kathy Maurice, a Survivor and widow of a fallen officer. All three speakers talked of the tragedy; the loss of a hero; and how much the Society and Scholarship program has helped them.
Through this event, the Society managed to raise enough money under the Scholarship to support four children of fallen officers to attend a post-secondary institution of their choice for one year. We would like to thank our sponsors, supporters and especially the golfers for helping to raise an amazing amount of money for our first go-round on this fundraiser. We will be hosting a second golf tournament in 2020, so keep an eye out for details.
The Public Safety Canada Memorial Grant Program for First Responders provides a one-time lump sum, tax-free direct maximum payment of $300,000 to the families of first responders who have died as a result of their duties.
The effective date for the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders is April 1, 2018. For eligibility, the date of death must be on or after April 1, 2018. The Grant will not be retroactive. You may apply for the Memorial Grant any time after the date of death.
To learn more, visit https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/bt/mmrl-grnt-prgrm/index-en.aspx.
The Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society is hosting their first fundraising golf tournament at the beautiful Newlands Golf and Country Club in Langley, British Columbia. The goal of the Society’s scholarship program is to lessen the burden on the families of Canada’s fallen heroes and make the dream of post-secondary education a reality to all the children of the police and peace officers who have given their lives protecting our communities.
The goal of the golf tournament is to raise $25,000 towards supporting five children of fallen officers to attend a Canadian Post-Secondary School of their choosing.
“Daily, we see our people in uniform serving in their many jobs, but rarely stop to think about the ultimate risk and sacrifice that some pay while they are performing their jobs in the line of duty. Yet if you talk to them, you will realize that they view their job as an honour and privilege to serve. The risk comes with the territory and they are proud to protect us.
We feel the loss of each of these officers as they are announced, but perhaps don’t think of the long-term consequences of this loss to the individual families as the years go by, and their children grow up without their mother or father.
Tough choices, lonely choices. Particularly for the costs of post-secondary education.
I ask myself, how can such a compassionate and caring society not in some way ensure that these children are provided for as they grow up. To give each access to education excellence that we would be proud of for each of our own sons and daughters. For make no mistake, they are our sons and daughters. Each of these children is Canada’s ward, and we should embrace them and ensure that their educational needs are met if they wish to proceed with post-secondary education.
The burden of paying for post-secondary education can be heavy, and weighs on these families as they make education decisions. Indeed, ask any police officer – it weighs on their mind as they respond to danger. What if this is the one where I don’t come home? Who will look after the kids? What about their future?”
Scholarship Foundation Chair Scott Shepherd
For complete details on the golf tournament, visit https://www.memorialribbon.org/golf.
On November 6 2017 Constable John Davidson of the Abbotsford Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty. The Memorial Ribbon Society approached a number of local landmarks in an effort to turn their lights ‘blue’ to show support for John Davidson and the ‘thin blue line’. Several Vancouver-area buildings, including BC Place, Rogers Arena, Vancouver City Hall, as well as many other landmarks and cities across Canada, switched their lights to ‘blue’ for the night.
Photography artist Mado El Khouly took a photo of the Vancouver waterfront with its ‘blue lights’ and posted it on the Internet. The Society contacted Mado whom graciously gave us permission to use his photo to create a tribute poster. We called it ‘Blue Lights’, for obvious reasons. Money raised through the sale of the posters will go towards the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship for the children of fallen officers. To purchase this and other products, please visit our online store at https://www.memorialribbon.org/store/.
The Society is working on a number of projects into 2019, including having the Memorial Ribbon formally endorsed by the Federal Government as the official symbol of mourning when an officer dies in the line of duty. We have received a Letter of Endorsement from the Presidents of the CACP, CPA, and the CPPOM acknowledging the Memorial Ribbon as the official symbol for these agencies. The Society has met with some Members of Parliament and we have begun the process of having an MP put forward a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons to formally recognize the Ribbon. We hope to get this done in the next sitting in Ottawa.
Another critical project that we are working on is a mental health initiative for First Responders. We tragically lose more and more peace officers to Operational Stress Injuries (PTSD) every year, and the Society is looking at how we can make it easier for officers and their families to get support before it is to late. We have begun speaking to many mental health support agencies and other professionals in an effort to come up with easier accesses to solutions.
Additionally, the Society has also started a committee to look at building a National Memorial Museum, likely a long-term project.
Finally, we are in the process of putting together our First Police and Peace Officers’ Golf Fundraiser, which will include a round of golf, dinner, and auctions. The fundraiser is set for August 15 at Newlands Golf and Country Club (https://www.newlandsgolf.com/), so put that date aside so you can participate! More information on the fundraiser will be coming out shortly.
For its 15th anniversary, the CBSA has created a historical exhibit of panels that include its legacy organizations dating back to before Confederation, as well as an Honour Wall with the names of its 15 Fallen Officers dating back to 1876. The exhibit is an amazing tribute to both the CBSA’s history and its Fallen Heroes.
On December 12, 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) celebrated the 15th Anniversary, established in 2003. Interestingly, the history of the CBSA and its legacy organizations goes back to a time well before Confederation. This is because customs collection, immigration, and the securing of borders are among the oldest and most basic roles of government.
At Confederation in 1867, Canada gained the autonomous right to fund itself, control its borders, and protect its economy. To support this new independence, Canada immediately created the Federal Departments of Customs and Agriculture to collect revenue and build an economy that grew with colonization. In the years that followed, Agriculture, Immigration and Customs officers worked shoulder-to-shoulder at Canada’s ports of entry to protect the interests of all Canadians.
December 12, 2003 saw the birth of the Canada Border Services Agency, combining the formidable skills of the three traditional partners: agriculture, customs and immigration. In a powerful formation, the Canadian border became the focus of close cooperation between these three entities to ensure the highest level of security for Canadians.
The CBSA’s 15th Anniversary historical exhibit was created to commemorate the Agency’s contributions as the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement organization. When we think of Canada’s history, we can’t help but think of large-scale immigration, of bountiful agriculture, of industry, and of trade — and the CBSA and its legacy organizations have played a leading role in all these pillars of Canadian success. By safeguarding our borders while facilitating trade and collecting revenue, the Agency has helped build the stable and prosperous Canada we all know today.
The CBSA is proud of its work and proud of its history. While accepting the risks that comes with serving Canada and protecting its borders, the Agency remembers those who served through time — and especially those who died in the line of duty:
The Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society was quite active in 2018. Read on for a summary of our activities the past year.
Unfortunately, four Canadian peace officers were tragically killed in the line of duty this year:
Four is too many, but we all know that we risk losing officers every year due to the dangerous nature of protecting the peace and freedoms all Canadians enjoy. The Memorial Ribbon Society was there for each memorial event to assist in the healing by showing the families and peers of our fallen that they will not be forgotten.
In the summer we had our first fundraiser, the Country Strong Gala , where country artists Rod Black and Hillbilly Vegas performed for attendees. Through the generous support of individuals and corporations, the event raised significant funds which will be directed to our six core objectives including providing post-secondary education scholarships to the children of fallen officers.
Memorial Ribbon Society volunteers attended many events across Canada this past year, including the National Memorial in Ottawa, some Provincial Memorials and funerals for the fallen. The Society’s attendance at these events raise awareness about the officers we have lost in the line of duty and honour their sacrifice through the use of the Ribbon. With the help of some tech savvy volunteers, we are continuing to expand the use of our new website as well as social media (Facebook and Twitter). We hope to post more news and information stories in 2019.
Due to the number of agencies, departments and members of the public requesting Ribbons over the past year, we can honestly say that the Memorial Ribbon is now recognized by just about everyone across the country. We have also had many agencies and societies request the use of the Ribbon on their Honour web pages, Memorials, and similar items.
Although the Memorial Ribbon is well-recognized, there is still a lot of work to do to make it the official national symbol of mourning for peace officers protecting communities across Canada who are killed in the line of duty. Hopefully no other peace officer dies in the Line of Duty and we only have to pull out the Ribbons at the Annual National and Provincial Memorial Services.
We continue to make sales of Ribbon-related merchandise through our improved on-line store, and accept donations by credit card through our website or by cheque.
Thank you for your support of the Memorial Ribbon Society in 2018. Over the last 20 years, we have donated over $237,000 to memorials, monuments, and scholarships that honour those lost in service of protecting their communities. Your continued generosity shows the families of peace officers killed in the line of duty, and all Canadians, that our fallen will not be forgotten.
Please, stay safe and watch out for each other.
The Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society became a national charity in 2008. Since that time we have received many donations – large donations, small donations, monthly donations, and donations in memory of an officer / loved one. The Society held our first fundraiser in August, and we had many generous people donate throughout the night, making it a huge success.
100% of all donations go to the Society’s Memorial Ribbon Scholarship fund, which assists and supports the children of fallen officers with their post secondary education. The Memorial Ribbon Scholarship was created in 2011 and to date the Scholarship has helped fourteen children, with two having graduated in the last few years. In 2018, we had three more children apply for the scholarship and we anticipate many more over the next few years.
The Society’s goal is to expand the scholarship to include education for ‘special needs’ children of fallen officers no matter what the age.
The Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society is the only society or entity in Canada that offers a scholarship to the children of fallen officers in law enforcement (‘sworn’ police and peace officers who enforce our laws, whether National, Provincial, Municipal or Indigenous).
Scott Shepherd, the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship Foundation Chair, recently stated:
“Daily, we see our people in uniform serving in their many jobs, but rarely stop to think about the ultimate risk and sacrifice that some pay while they are performing their jobs in the line of duty. Yet if you talk to them, you will realize that they view their job as an honour and privilege to serve. The risk comes with the territory and they are proud to protect us.
We feel the loss of each of these officers as they are announced, but perhaps don’t think of the long-term consequences of this loss to the individual families as the years go by, and their children grow up without their mother or father.
Tough choices, lonely choices. Particularly for the costs of post-secondary education.
I ask myself, how can such a compassionate and caring society not in some way ensure that these children are provided for as they grow up. To give each access to education excellence that we would be proud of for each of our own sons and daughters. For make no mistake, they are our sons and daughters. Each of these children is Canada’s ward, and we should embrace them and ensure that their educational needs are met if they wish to proceed with post-secondary education.”
It is through your generosity that we are able to support the children of these ‘heroes’. As we take away some of the financial burden of post secondary education, the surviving family is better able to focus on healing.
I would like to take this time to thank all those that have donated to the Society and for those who continue to support the Memorial Ribbon Scholarship. Thank you.
Shawn Coady, M.O.M. C.D.
President
On November 6 2017, Constable John Davidson, of the Abbotsford Police, was shot and killed in the line of duty. The family was devastated, the Abbotsford Police Department was shocked, and the law enforcement community felt the loss of another officer killed protecting his community. This tragedy was caught on tape and played on all sorts of media across Canada and the USA. Other agencies attended Abbotsford Police Department to assist them through this trying time and help them police their city. During the week, the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society received many requests for Ribbons, and sent messages of condolence to the family of John Davidson. It was clear that not only the community of Abbotsford was rallying around the family, but all Canadians were doing the same.
It was at this time that the Society’s vice-president Ross Gulkison approached a number of corporations in an effort to turn their lights ‘blue’ to show support for John Davidson and the ‘thin blue line’. Ross approached John Daly of CKNW who loved the idea and spoke about it on his radio show. Through his show, more corporations joined in and changed their lights to blue on the night before John Davidson’s funeral. Lights at BC Place, Rogers Arena, City Hall, and many other landmarks and cities across Canada switched to ‘blue’ for the night. It was an amazing sight and showed the family, Abbotsford Police and the law enforcement community that we, Canadians, support you.
Photography artist Mado El Khouly took a photo of the Vancouver waterfront with all of the ‘blue lights’ and posted it on the Internet. Of all the photos, in our opinion, his was the best. We contacted Mado and he gave us permission to use his photo as a tribute. We called it ‘Blue Lights’, for obvious reasons. We presented a framed print of the photo to the family of John Davidson and Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich. We also thought it important to thank John Daly for his part in promoting this show of support.
If you wish to purchase a copy of the Blue Lights poster, they will be for sale in the next few weeks on the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society website store (www.memorialribbon.org).
The photos below show Ross Gulkison at the CKNW offices, with Executive Producer John O’Dowd, presenting John Daly a framed print of this photo, in appreciation for all his successful work in getting the word out about switching to ‘blue lights’ to honour Constable John Davidson.
One of the goals of the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society is to foster a continued relationship between a fallen officer’s family and that officer’s agency. In the past, when as officer was killed in the line of duty, the family was sometimes forgotten about once the funeral was over. Today the Society works to keep the family involved with the law enforcement community so that a healing dialogue can continue. As a first step, working with the officer’s home agency, the Memorial Ribbon Society presents a limited edition ‘Salute to Our Fallen Heroes’ print to the family depicting officers saluting a slain officers hat on the steps of the National Memorial Pavilion, while the spirits of officers in the Pavilion return the salute. The Society also presents a memorial plaque to the agency, so that all of their members and the public will not forget.
Over the years we have found that our work helps the relationship between the agency and family to become stronger – the family remains an important part of the agency, invited to agency events throughout the year.
In the last several years we have made this presentation to the families of several fallen officers from across Canada; photos of these presentations can be found below.
