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Fallen Four Memorial (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Ceremony to mark 15 years since Mayerthorpe Tragedy

Mar 4, 2020 | 1:25 PM

EDMONTON – This week marks the 15th anniversary of the murders of four RCMP officers on a farm north of Rochfort Bridge near the town of Mayerthorpe.

Constables Peter Schiemann, Brock Myrol, and Leo Johnston from the Mayerthorpe detachment, along with Constable Anthony Gordon, who was stationed in Whitecourt, were shot and killed during an investigation into a marijuana grow op and chop shop on gunman James Roszko’s farm.

Roszko later took his own life after being wounded in a shootout with another Mountie. Several weapons were later found in a quonset where the shootings took place.

Two other men, Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman, were later charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. They admitted to giving Roszko a ride and giving him a rifle. Hennessey was given a 15-year jail sentence, while Cheeseman received 10 years. He was later given statutory release while Hennessey was paroled.

A memorial service hosted by the Fallen Four Society was held at the Fallen Four Memorial Park in Mayerthorpe on Tuesday evening.

RCMP say tt is an opportunity for family, friends, peace officers and members of the public to come together to remember those that have lost their lives in the line of duty.