Tragedy has hit the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Flags are flying at half-mast at detachments across Saskatchewan on Saturday night after the death of one of their own on Saturday morning.
26-year-old Constable Shelby Patton from Yorkton, a member of the Indian Head detachment and a six-year member of the RCMP, died while responding a call Saturday morning in the town of Wolseley–just over an hour east of Regina on the Trans-Canada Highway.
In a news conference Saturday afternoon, Saskatchewan Assistant RCMP Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore says Patton, who was alone, stopped two suspects in a truck believed to have been stolen in Manitoba.
While standing outside his vehicle, Patton was struck and killed by the truck that fled the scene around 8 a.m. The truck, along with the suspects who are an adult man and an adult woman, was found a couple of hours later in a rural area northeast of Francis. The arrest went down without incident with some local farmers helping out by assisting officers searching for the pair.
The Canadian flag flies at half-mast in memory at the Indian Head RCMP detachment in memory of Constable Patton.
Picture: Bonnie Warcyca
The suspects, whose names were not released, remain in police custody, but charges have not yet been laid at this time as the investigation continues.
An emotional Blackmore described Patton as hardworking and dedicated.” She said in speaking with his detachment commander on Saturday. she was told if you wanted to create the ideal RCMP member, you would clone Shelby Patton.
On Saturday morning, RCMP had sent a media release telling people near Wolseley and Francis they could expect to see an increased police presence. At that time, RCMP said they were investigating a serious crash with two people in custody.
Flags will fly at half-mast at every RCMP detachment across the province until sunset on the day of the funeral. Information on that funeral is not known at this time.
The last time an RCMP officer died in Saskatchewan while on-duty was in 2012.
We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cst. Shelby Patton as well as our colleagues @RCMPSK. Cst. Patton – Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. https://t.co/Op96KmcoKq
— Regina Police (@reginapolice) June 13, 2021
It is with tremendous sorrow that Saskatchewan mourns the loss of RCMP Constable Shelby Patton, who was killed in the line of duty this morning in Wolseley, SK. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/FA4Oxadyci
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) June 12, 2021
Earlier today RCMP Cst. Shelby Patton, based in Indian Head, Sask., was killed in the line of duty. At this extremely difficult time, my thoughts are with Cst. Patton’s family and friends, as well as RCMP members across Canada. We are grateful for your service and your sacrifice pic.twitter.com/24brmrZ82x
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) June 12, 2021