Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to RCMP Constable Shelby Patton.

Last Saturday, June 12, in homes across Canada, many people woke up and contemplated a day off, enjoying time with their family and friends. In other homes, hundreds of other Canadians woke up, prepared themselves for a day shift as a police officer, kissed their spouse and family goodbye and reported for duty.

All of these brave men and women came home on Saturday night except one. At approximately 8 a.m. on that beautiful spring day in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Constable Shelby Patton was killed in the line of duty. He was a loving husband, son and brother.

For those who have not had the privilege to serve in a police force, it’s difficult to understand why people would risk their lives every day to protect the lives and property of others, often perfect strangers. For Constable Shelby Patton, it had been his dream since high school.

Before Constable Patton’s six and a half years of service at Indian Head detachment, he was stationed at Parliament Hill guarding members of the Parliament and Senate. He liked to help people and say “hello.” Some may have seen him on patrol or spoken to him. He was keeping us and the public safe from harm.

By all accounts, early that morning a stolen vehicle was suspected of being in the Wolseley area. Working alone, Constable Patton radioed in that he was making a traffic stop. It would be his last call. The next communication received by dispatch was from a member of the public asking for help, as an RCMP officer had been the victim of a hit and run and was in cardiac arrest. Despite desperate efforts from bystanders and ambulance attendants, his young life ended soon afterward. The offenders fled the scene and were apprehended later that morning.

I can tell you, senators, that the fear of dying in the line of duty is a nightmare that every police officer wakes up to more than once in their life. That someone will die in the line of duty is inevitable, but everyone believes that it will be someone else.

A memorial of flowers and keepsakes is growing in front of the Indian Head detachment, where the constable served for almost all of his albeit short career. Among the tributes is a poster created in a childlike fashion, which I believe describes perfectly the eulogy for all who serve as police officers. This poster reads, “He is a hero and always will be. Thank you for your service. P.S. We love you.” Thank you. Meegwetch.