In a gesture of respect and support, BC Ferries will be providing complimentary travel to officers and emergency first responders attending the regimental funeral for Constable Rick O’Brien, who lost his life in the line of duty last month.
The free rides will be available on October 4th and 5th, for travel between Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and the Lower Mainland.
Constable O’Brien, a member of the Ridge Meadows RCMP, was killed during the execution of a search warrant in Coquitlam on September 22nd.
While attempting to carry out their duties, officers encountered a situation that led to a fatal shooting, resulting in Constable O’Brien’s death.
Two other officers were injured during the incident but have since been released from the hospital. The suspect, 25-year-old Nicholas Bellemare, was also wounded and is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder with a firearm, though these charges have not been proven in court.
O’Brien’s regimental funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Langley.
BC Ferries offer extends to officers and emergency first responders from a range of agencies, including the RCMP, local police departments, fire departments, BC Ambulance Service, Canada Customs, Canada Immigration, Canadian Forces, National Defense, Corrections Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
BC Ferries says uniform or official badge identification must be presented to the ticket agent at check-in to receive complimentary travel.
To support Constable O’Brien’s family, the National Police Federation Benevolent Foundation, in partnership with the National Police Federation, started a GoFundMe campaign.
The campaign has garnered significant support, raising over $157,000.
