RCMP holding ceremony to remember Sarah Beckett, who died a year ago
“Gone but not forgotten.”
The phrase kept running through West Shore RCMP Staff Sgt. Raj Sandhu’s mind as he began to plan today’s remembrance ceremony for Const. Sarah Beckett.
“She will never be forgotten. She will always be with us,” Sandhu said Tuesday, on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Beckett’s death.
The married mother of two young children died in the early morning of April 5, 2016, after her RCMP cruiser was struck by a pickup truck at Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue in Langford.
The brief, low-key memorial will be at noon outside the West Shore detachment. Officers in red serge will greet the public at the doors of the detachment throughout the day.
“Our initial plan was to have a small remembrance outside the detachment at her memorial plaque,” said Sandhu. “However, as we started planning, we started getting phone calls and we realized we just can’t keep this day to ourselves. It’s a community thing. There’s been so much support from the community and our partner agencies over this past year, it would be selfish for us not to open it up to anybody who wants to come.”
The partner agencies include Crown lawyers and local fire and police departments, said Sandhu, who is the operations NCO.
“A number of people have supported the detachment over the year and it has been a tough year. This brings up a lot of emotions, a lot of memories for people.
“This day will be very emotional for our members.”
Anyone who wants to visit the detachment today is welcome, said Sandhu.
At noon, at Beckett’s memorial in the small garden outside the detachment, a chaplain will say a few words.
West Shore members will place a wreath, and others will bring flowers. Beckett’s husband, mother and sister might attend what will be a simple ceremony.
“There has been so much public support for Sarah’s family and our detachment over the past year, I will thank everybody on behalf of the RCMP,” said Sandhu. “If I tried to thank individual organizations and people, we would be here all day.”
The office has a committee working on a Wall of Honour for the front counter area, said Sandhu. “Sarah’s picture will go on that wall. When that is ready, we will do formal invitations and a formal presentation.”
The man charged in connection with the fatal crash is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton, 28, has been charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, flight from police causing death, driving with blood-alcohol level over .08 and refusing to provide a blood sample to police.
Charges are also being considered against a West Shore officer. In February, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. filed a report to Crown counsel for consideration of charges in connection with the fatal crash. The Criminal Justice Branch will provide a statement when it decides whether charges will be approved.
The Capital Regional District’s traffic safety commission is planning to honour Beckett’s memory with a scholarship. On May 20, a fundraising concert featuring blues guitarist David Gogo is being held at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre at Oak Bay High School at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets — $25 in advance or $30 at the door — can be purchased at Langford City Hall, Langford Fire Rescue, Shoppers Drug Mart in Sooke, Ivy’s Book Shop on Oak Bay Avenue and Bitez Sandwich Bar on Goldstream Avenue.