Slain Mountie had baby on the way
QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, June 06, 2014 07:46 AM EDT | Updated: Friday, June 06, 2014 03:43 PM EDT
MONCTON, N.B. — The three Mounties killed by a suspected lone gunman will be remembered Friday night at a candlelight vigil.
The community is being invited to the RCMP headquarters in Moncton at 7:30 p.m. to show support for the Mounties and remember constables David Ross, Frabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche. The three were shot and killed Wednesday evening after responding to a call about a man walking down the street with firearms. Two other officers were injured.
Suspect Justin Bourque, 24, has been arrested. Charges are pending.
Const. David Ross, 32, was "passionate about his work," cousin Lucinda Ross wrote on Facebook.
"All my thoughts go out to his wife, his son and his family. Rest in peace Dave," she wrote.
He was a police dog handler originally from Victoriaville, Que. He and his wife, Rachel, had a 19-month-old son and a second child on the way.
He joined the force in Ottawa after graduating July 9, 2007, and was posted to New Brunswick.
Victoriaville Mayor Alain Rayes told QMI Agency all flags at city buildings would remain at half mast until Ross's funeral, which will likely be held in Moncton.
Ross's father, sister and other relatives still live in the area and were on their way to Moncton on Friday. His mother remained at home.
One of the Mounties gunned down has been identified by family members as Dave Ross, formerly of Victoriaville, Que.(Facebook photo)
A few months after Ross joined the New Brunswick detachment, Const. Frabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45, was also posted there on Feb. 11, 2008 as a general duty officer. Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, France, he worked as part of the dive unit.
Cst. Frabrice Georges Gevaudan (RCMP Handout)
Gilles Chaslas of Kazabazua, Que., told local website LowDownOnline.com he drove Dan and Beth Larche to the airport after they received news their son, 40-year-old Const. Douglas James Larche, was also shot Wednesday.
Cst. Douglas James Larche (RCMP Handout)
Doug Larche was born in Kazabazua but raised in Saint John, N.B.
Chaslas said he and his partner were watching television Wednesday night when they heard about the shooting.
"We looked at each other and said 'I pray to God that's not Dan's boy,'" he told the website.
Doug Larche was posted to New Brunswick on Feb. 4, 2002, and served in Miramichi, Doaktown, and Codiac, which covers the Moncton area, in the highway patrol division as well as working as a general duty officer.
In 2008, Larche received a Commander's Commendation for saving the life of an unconscious baby in Moncton.
Commanding Officer Roger Brown called all three "incredible RCMP members."
"My thoughts and prayers remain with the families and loved ones of these fallen officers who died in the line of duty and our recovering officers," Brown said at a press conference Friday.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days, Brown said.
One of the Mounties gunned down has been identified by family members as Dave Ross, formerly of Victoriaville, Que. (Facebook photo)
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