Mayerthorpe remembers four fallen RCMP officers

Residents in Mayerthorpe, Alta., marked the second anniversary on Saturday of one of the worst police shootings in Canadian history when a man ambushed and killed four RCMP officers.

The shootings took place on March 3, 2005, on a farm near Mayerthorpe, which is northwest of Edmonton. When it was over four officers were dead including Const. Brock Myrol, Const. Lionide (Leo) Johnston, Const. Peter Schieman and Const. Anthony Gordon.

All fourhad been killed by bullets from James Roszko's gun. Roszko had been shot by police, but in the end killed himself with his own gun.

The officers were investigating reports of stolen auto parts as well as a small marijuana grow operation.

On Friday, townspeople in Mayerthorpe held a memorial service as part of a local hockey game.

"The memorial was relatively simple," the CBC's David Gerow reported.

Candles were lit for each of the fallen officers. And then federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Rona Ambrose lit one more candle to honour all police officers from across the countrywho have been killed in the line of duty.

"It was certainly a very emotional time," Gerow said.

Officials in Mayerthorpe now say they have reached their fundraising goal of $1.5 million to erect a combination information centre and memorial in the town to the four officers. The memorial will include four bronze statues of the officers.

On Thursday, two reports leaked to the CBC — one prepared by the federal Human Resources Department and the other by the RCMP — laid the blame solely on Roszko.

The reports both said there was no way that the RCMP could have anticipated the ambush and slayings.