Cabbies pay tribute to slain colleague

About 100 cab drivers wound their way through the streets of Dartmouth Tuesday in a tribute to colleague Ken Purcell, who was stabbed to death Christmas morning.

The drivers gathered at the Sportsplex and made their way to St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church for Purcell's funeral.

Tina Blackburn, a dispatcher at Bob's Taxi, remembers her colleague fondly.

"He was a really nice guy [who] worked every day, all day long into the night, would do anything for you, go anywhere as far as the calls were concerned," Blackburn said.

Purcell, 62, had been driving cabs for Bob's and Bluebell taxis in Dartmouth for almost four decades.

Early Christmas morning, he called his dispatcher for help. Police found him in his car around 8 a.m. in the Main Street and Caledonia Road area. He had been stabbed 11 times.

"Hardly a week goes by that we are not reminded that we live in a very violent society," Rev. Owen Connolly said during the service.

Purcell's death has left many people in the taxi industry on edge and prompted some to think more about safety.

Charles Burnell has a new camera in his cab that takes pictures of his passengers, an extra measure he hopes makes any would-be attacker think twice.

"It's scary. Guys just want to come out and make a living and we can't do that. I wouldn't blame some of these if they don't want to drive at all anymore," Burnell said.

The taxi and limousine advisory committee in the Halifax region is considering various safety options for cabs, including cameras and Plexiglas shields to separate drivers from passengers.

• FROM DEC. 29, 2005: Group looks at taxi safety features

Committee members will discuss cab safety on Jan. 18, the same day Purcell's accused killer is scheduled to appear in court.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with second-degree murder. He's been remanded to the youth jail in Waterville.

• FROM DEC. 28, 2005: Teen charged in cab driver's death