Spirit of girl killed by impaired driver inspiring police officers 10 years later
61 officers join Alexa’s Team as girl’s mother marks 10th anniversary of crusade against impaired driving
Ten years after her daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Laurel Middelaer is amazed by the significant impact of the little girl’s legacy on people across B.C.
Since four-year-old Alexa was killed, police officers across the province have been working to remove impaired drivers from the roads under the banner of Alexa’s Team.
On Wednesday morning, 61 officers from the B.C. RCMP’s southeast district were honoured as members of Alexa’s Team.
“I think the most poignant part of the ceremony today was when one of the officers said there isn’t a day without Alexa’s name being mentioned in (his) detachment,” said Middelaer. “As a mother, I can’t even fathom that 10 years later my daughter would have that kind of impact. It’s a beautiful thing that her small, tenacious spirit is resonating in that way, and if she can be an inspiration, then that’s the best legacy I could ever hope for as a mother.”
In the past 10 years, Alexa’s Team has grown from 26 members to 2,400 RCMP and municipal police officers across the province, and more than 86,500 drivers influenced by drugs or alcohol have been removed from the road by Alexa’s Team members.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, Kelowna Const. Bradley Smith was recognized for taking 91 drivers off the road in 2017.
“It feels good to be part of something that’s making a positive difference,” said Smith.
The 10th-anniversary ceremony marked the end of regional recognition ceremonies for Alexa’s Team.
“We will still write the cards, officers will still have those goals to strive for, but we won’t have these ceremonies around the province anymore,” said Middelaer. “Alexa’s Team will continue, but it won’t be in the same format.”
Middelaer said her goal has always been to bring attention to impaired driving, and she feels confident that message has gotten across and that police forces across B.C. have made it a priority.
“What the story of Alexa is really about is a community response to a tragedy,” said Middelaer. “I think it’s about action and people looking at what they can do so this doesn’t happen again. It’s been really exciting to see the response by people at all levels.”