RCMP Officer Killed In Haiti Quake

[Bruce Monkhouse]

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/haiti/article/750643--rmcp-officer-killed-in-haiti-quake?bn=1
Richard J. Brennan


A Canadian Mountie missing in Haiti has been found dead, RCMP Commissioner Bill Elliott has confirmed.

At a hasty news conference Thursday, Elliott said Sgt. Mark Gallagher, who was in Haiti as part of the UN police training mission, was found by a Sûreté du Québec colleague.
"This is devastating news for Mark's family and for all of us, said Elliott, who struggled to maintain his composure.

A second Canadian officer, Supt. Douglas Coates, remains unaccounted for, said Elliott.
He is believed to be in the rubble of the collapsed UN building in Port-au-Prince, said Elliott. Coates is acting police commissioner for the UN police mentoring mission.

"We still hope to find Supt. Doug Coates alive," said Elliott.

Gallagher's body has not been retrieved but remains trapped under the concrete of his apartment building, Elliott said. He added the RCMP would need heavy equipment to remove his body.

The officers were part of the 82-officer contingent deployed under UN command in Haiti. Of that original number, 51 remain at the UN mission in port-au-prince said Elliott, with another 29 remaining in other areas of the country. All other Canadian police were located within a day after the quake struck.

 

[George Wallace]

2nd Mountie found dead in Haiti; Canadian toll at 8


16/01/2010 5:06:33 PM


A second RCMP officer has been confirmed dead in Haiti, bringing the Canadian death toll following Tuesday's quake to eight.

A second RCMP officer has been confirmed dead in Haiti, bringing the Canadian death toll following Tuesday's quake to eight.

The body of Supt. Doug Coates was found amidst the rubble of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, the RCMP said.

Coates was among a group of officers from Canada who were mentoring police in Haiti. Sgt. Mark Gallagher, 50, was confirmed dead earlier in the week.

RCMP Commissioner Bill Elliot called both officers heroes on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that a Quebec professor was found dead in the rubble in the Port-au-Prince University. Denis Bellavance, from Drummondville, Que. was lecturing at the university.

Also on Saturday, the Canadian International Development Agency confirmed that two of its staff died in the massive earthquake that has devastated Port-au-Prince.

CIDA employee Guillaume Siemienski and consultant Helene Rivard were both killed in the quake, Bev Oda, Canada's minister of international co-operation, said in a statement released on Saturday.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Mr. Siemienski and Ms. Rivard," Oda said in the statement.

"They will be remembered for their long-standing commitment to development and to improving the lives of Haitians. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families."

Siemienski was a development officer at CIDA on assignment to the United Nations, who had been with CIDA since 1999. Rivard had worked with the organization for more than 20 years.

Siemienski's sister said he was drawn to humanitarian work because his talents were best put to work when he was helping others.

"He was the sunshine of the family," Maja Siemienska told The Canadian Press. "It's night time without him."

"He didn't want to do bureaucratic work, he wanted to do something positive, something concrete."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also released a statement after learning of the deaths of the two CIDA workers.

"Their deaths are a reminder of the sacrifice Canadian men and women like Siemienski and Rivard are willing to make in order to bring Canadian generosity and aid to Haiti and the world," he said.

"On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I would like to offer their families and friends our profound sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon announced Saturday morning that 1,362 other Canadians are still missing in the aftermath of the quake.

Cannon also said 781 Canadians have been located in Haiti, 460 Canadians have been evacuated to Canada and 50 Canadians are taking shelter at the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

With files from The Canadian Press


LINK

 

[stukirkpatrick]

RIP both of you, your work will not be forgotten.







*title modified

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Media Advisory - Update: Revised time of arrival
Fallen Police Officers Return Home

OTTAWA, January 21, 2010 - Our fallen police officers, Superintendant Doug Coates and Sergeant Mark Gallagher, will return home to Canada tomorrow, Friday January 22, 2010.

•Where: 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario
•When: Friday, January 22, 2010, at 2 p.m.
•What: Media will not be permitted on the tarmac
Present to pay their respects will be the Minister of Public Safety Canada, The Honourable Vic Toews, RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott, Chief of Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk and other dignitaries.

For more information on Superintendant Doug Coates and Sergeant Mark Gallagher, their biographies are available on the RCMP web site.

- 30 -

Repatriation of Sergeant Mark Gallagher and Superintendent Doug Coates January 20, 2010

With the assistance of our friends in the Canadian Forces, Friday begins the somber and final journey home for two RCMP members who lost their lives in Haiti’s devastating earthquake last week.

Sergeant Mark Gallagher and Superintendent Doug Coates will be honoured by police and military personnel in Port-au-Prince on Friday, January 22, before their remains are placed aboard a Canadian Forces aircraft bound for CFB Trenton in Ontario. Their caskets will be accompanied by RCMP and Canadian Forces staff.

Once arriving on the tarmac in Trenton at approximately 15:00 hrs local time, a private repatriation ceremony with family will pay tribute to the fallen members.

Mark and Doug will then be taken by hearse to Toronto, following a stretch of Highway 401 known, fittingly, as the Highway of Heroes.

In the coming days, family, friends and colleagues will pay their respects to Mark in Woodstock, New Brunswick, and to Doug in Ottawa. We will share more information on visitation and funeral arrangements once details are confirmed with family.

As our thoughts remain with Mark and Doug’s loved ones during this painful time, I would like to thank the Canadian Forces for their assistance in repatriating our fallen comrades from Haiti where they were stationed as part of Canada’s contribution to the UN Stabilization Mission there.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the rescue teams in Port-au-Prince who located and recovered our officers and whose courageous efforts continue amid the rubble of the shattered capital.

I am equally grateful to the Canadian police officers and other members of the UN mission who remain on the ground to help provide humanitarian relief and security services.

I thank all those who have offered and provided support to the RCMP and to the families of Sergeant Gallagher and Superintendent Coates throughout this tragedy. Mark and Doug were two fine Mounties who made numerous friends in the course of their careers and throughout their lives. Friday will be a sad day for many.

The kind thoughts already expressed by many Canadians have been a source of comfort to all of us who are shocked and saddened by this unfortunate event. I thank you on behalf of the Gallagher and Coates families and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

William J.S. Elliott
Commissioner


For more information:
RCMP Media Relations, 613-993-2999


RCMP Update on Funeral Plans for Sgt. Mark Gallagher 2010/1/19



The RCMP is confirming that the body of Sgt. Mark Gallagher has been recovered. Sgt. Gallagher's body was recovered on January 16, 2010 in the rubble of the apartment building in which he was residing in Port-au-Prince.

Plans are currently underway for the body of Sgt. Gallagher to be flown back to Canada for the Repatriation at CFB Trenton, Ontario. The family of Sgt. Gallagher has requested a RCMP Regimental Funeral to take place in Woodstock, New Brunswick. Details regarding date and time are still being finalized.

In memory of Sgt. Gallagher, the public can submit condolences via the RCMP website. These messages will be compiled and provided to Sgt. Gallagher's family.

Please note, all media inquiries in relation to the funeral of Sgt. Gallagher can be forwarded to Sgt. Gilles Blinn at 506-461-2420.





- 30 -


Sgt. Gilles Blinn
506-461-2420

 

[Civvymedic]

The media is reporting that the time has been updated to 4 pm at Trenton. Travelling through Northumberland County at approx: 5. Bowmanville at Approx: 530 and so on.

Updates are avail at www.durhamregion.com and 680news.com

There are large groups planned for Waverly and Vic Park.

 

[vonGarvin]

For those of you who can make it....well...Hat's off to you.


That's all.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Media Advisory - Update: Time Change OTTAWA, January 22, 2010 - Repatriation of Fallen RCMP Officers Delayed to 4:00 p.m.

•Where: 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario
•When: Friday, January 22, 2010, at 4 p.m.
•What: Media will not be permitted on the tarmac
For more information on Chief Superintendant Doug Coates and Sergeant Mark Gallagher, their biographies are available on the RCMP web site.

- 30 -

For more information:
RCMP Media Relations, 613-993-2999

 

[manhole]

Sgt. Gallagher lived just a few miles away from me.... RIP, Mark.    Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and f riends.   

 

[The Bread Guy]

Belated condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the fallen

 

[tomahawk6]

With 300 people missing there will be more repatriations. The Chinese lost 8 cops. The Brazilians lost 13 - 17 troops so far. Very unfortunate.

 

[Civvymedic]

www.newsdurhamregion.com/article/146660

There was a good turnout lastnight. To those from other parts of Canada who cant make it out here is what it looks like. The little girl in the video sitting on her Dad's shoulders holding the Canadian Flag is my daughter and I. She took the initiative last night at Tim Hortons to thank the soldiers and speak with them after the bridge.

Respects to the colleagues and family and friends of the fallen.

Article and video at www.newsdurhamregion.com/article/146660

 

[manhole]

Yesterday afternoon, members of Woodstock Unit #95 ANAVETS marched "Shoulder to Shoulder" with law enforcement officers from all over Canada and the US at the funeral of Sgt. Mark Gallagher.  It was an honour for us to pay tribute to him.  Thank you. Mark, for your service to our country.  Our prayers are with your family and friends.