Mayerthorpe remembers Mounties killed 10 years ago

Like they have done every year for the past ten years, people gathered in Mayerthorpe and lit candles, bringing light to the dark memories of March 3, 2005 when four RCMP constables were shot and killed.

Knit tightly together in a circle, about 200 peopleheld candles, shoulder-to-shoulder, bracing themselves from the cold on Tuesday night.

Their circle embraced the statues of Constables Brock Myrol, 29, Leo Johnston, 32, Peter Schiemann, 25, and Anthony Gordon, 28 who were shot and killed by James Roszko while investigating a marijuana grow operation and chop shop just outside of town.

"For those whose flame was extinguished but who stand proudly in our hearts," she added, her voice faltering, the tragedy of March 3rd still rising up in her voice.

Like many at Tuesday nights gathering, Thibault knew the officers killed in Mayerthorpe.

Janine White didn't know them, but felt it was important to drive three hours with her four children to the memorial on Tuesday. She helped her children lay roses at the feet of the statues.

"These guys leave their house everyday not knowing if they're going to make it home," said White. "These guys didn't. They deserve a flower."

A group of students who 10 years ago as small children performed Love Can Build a Bridge by The Judds at a memorial for the fallen officers were back again. This time, they where they were joined by a new generation of Grade 1 students.

"Ten years ago these little people were so innocent and so wonderful, and such a promise of a future and were just untarnished to me, that was the real moment where we knew we were going to survive," said Thibault.

"And now, 10 years later, theyre in Grade 11 and are coming back tonight to do the same thing," she said. "It just shows how life goes on."

"Its a powerful message again, it never stops being powerful," Thibault said.

As the sun set, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan read the names of those who have died while in the line of service across Canada over the past year, including the three RCMP officers in Moncton as well as Const. David Wynn, who was shot in St. Albert in January of this year.

• Const. David Wynn honoured by thousands at funeral

• Moncton shootings: Slain RCMP officers mourned by families

"No matter how well prepared we are, sometimes we cant prevent tragedy and thats the reality," said Ryan after the service.

A painting of the park, featuring the Fallen Four monument was also unveiled. The painting will hang inside a nearby building, where it will be joined by the hundreds of other tributes that have poured in from across the country and around the world since 2005.