RCMP police officer, one of the 22 killed in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, was recalled today during a regimental service in Halifax, recalling her brave actions.
People were lined up on the street leading to the service to Const. Heidi Stevenson watched the Mountains and City Police march, and the hearse carried a police jar to a ceremony at Coal Harbor’s hockey arena, with bag pipers and drummers playing.
A family funeral was held five days after Stevenson was killed, but COVID-19 restrictions delayed the official ritual.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki told today’s service that Stevenson would be memorable for “her courage and strength of personality.”
She said the troops would remember her “heroism of the day, the courage she showed, and the actions she took to protect the community she cares so deeply.”
Veterans competed to help their injured colleagues on April 19, 2020, when a fatal encounter occurred at a highway interchange about 60 kilometers north of Halifax, according to a public investigation into the shootings. Was there.
A 48-year-old policeman died in a gun battle with a murderer who jumped over the lane in a replica police car to drive the ramp in the wrong direction and hit Stevenson’s cruiser.
According to hearing documents, a piece of bullet from Stevenson’s pistol “probably” attacked the murderer’s head, and about 35 minutes later, blood on his forehead turned over a policeman who shot and killed a gunner at a gas station. rice field.
The investigation also states that Stevenson asked the public to be informed about the murderer driving a replica RCMP vehicle at 8:44 am that morning. Her request did not receive a response.
During the service, the officer’s four friends noticed her strong personality and sense of justice.
Her longtime friend Angela McKnight described Stevenson as a “fierce woman” who chose RCMP over kinesiology and gained strength by playing rugby at college.
“Heidi was surrounded by strong women who focused on supporting each other,” she said. “I don’t know any more … she’s no woman tougher and more determined than her.”
Those watching the procession to worship also praised Stevenson, who survived by her husband and two children.
Army veteran Randy Stephenson and Yang Hill, whose husband worked with the policeman, were among the people waiting in line.
A veteran unrelated to the fallen Mountaine described her as an example of “what the police and the army are,” and Hill praised the police’s deep involvement in her community in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. ..
The officer grew up in Antigonish, NS and attended a university in Nova Scotia. She has been with Mountains for 23 years, developing drug awareness, general duty crackdown, and communication expertise. She also spent time in Ottawa as part of the RCMP musical ride, even though she had no previous horse experience.
In a statement provided to the investigation, the Stevensons said community support was helpful after her murder. “It was very meaningful to see the Nova Scotia Strong sticker on everyone’s car after months of food being served. The call from the Prime Minister was very personal,” said the family. Said in a statement.
By Lyndsay Armstrong and Michael Tutton
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