This Thursday, Central Saanich Police are set to honour a retired Chief Constable who passed away in December, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Chief Constable George Lawson started his career with the RCMP in 1959 and joined the Central Saanich detachment as Chief Constable almost 30 years later, in 1986. He continued to serve in Saanich until 1999 when he retired as a friend of the community.
“I first met George while in the process of applying for his job,” said retired Chief Constable Paul Hames in a Central Saanich Police twitter post. “Once I was hired, George stayed for a week to help with my transition.”
“He was a caring person who valued those in his life, particularly his family. George dedicated many years to public service and he will be missed. He was a friend to all who knew him.”
Over his many decades with the RCMP, people close to George say he never lost sight of what his position meant to the community.
“George should be remembered as a cop’s cop. Even as the Chief, George was known to pick up a radio and patrol the community. He never forgot that his job was to keep the peace and protect the public. George always had time for members’ concerns and the public,” said Sgt. Greg Johnson in the same tweet.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol, his son, Cameron, his daughter, Leanne, and his four grandchildren.
A service will be held on Thursday for Chief Constable Lawson in Sidney. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, people consider making a donation to the Victoria Parkinson’s Society or to the RCMP Veterans Victoria Division Bursary at Camosun College.
It is with great sadness that we share this news. pic.twitter.com/QHwPTKMDdt
— cspoliceservice (@cspoliceservice) January 22, 2019
Chief Constable George Lawson memorial service
- When: Thursday, January 24th, 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave W
