The funeral for Surrey RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver has concluded at the Langley Events Centre.
Thousands of uniformed Mounties and other emergency responders turned out to pay their respects to the fallen officer, who died in a vehicle collision in Surrey on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
A full march of uniformed members of the RCMP as well as other B.C., national and international emergency services personnel took place prior to the service.
Oliver received a full RCMP regimental funeral – second only to a state funeral.
Dignitaries at the service included: RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson; Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer for the B.C. RCMP; Assistant Commissioner Norm Lipinski, Lower Mainland District Commander; Chief Supt. Bill Fordy, Officer in Charge of Surrey detachment; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond; Surrey Mayor Diane Watts; and Deputy Premier Rich Coleman.
Speakers included Oliver’s fiancee Shelagh Mitchell, also a Mountie, and his twin brother, RCMP Const. Benjamin Oliver.
Other agencies in attendance (in no particular order) included: Public Safety Canada; US Home Land Security, Customs and Border Protection – Washington DC; Office of Field Operations, Seattle Field Office; Office of Field Operations, Vancouver Preclearance; U.S. Bo
rder Patrol, Blaine Sector; U.S. Border Patrol, Spokane Sector; Office of Air and Marine, Bellingham, Washington; Fisheries and Oceans, Pacific Region; City of Surrey; US Coast Guard; Canada Border Services Agency; Australian Federal Police; U.S. Counsel General; Calgary Police Service; Calgary Fire Department; Independent Investigation Office; Minister of Public Safety Office; BC Ambulance Service; Senator; Surrey Fire Fighters Association and several other Lower Mainland Police Departments.
RCMP Chaplain Jim Turner presided over the service.
The 28-year-old Oliver had been with the Surrey RCMP for more than three years. He was on duty when his unmarked police vehicle and a semi-trailer collided in the intersection of 64 Avenue and 148 Street in Newton.
Oliver’s stepfather is also a serving member of the RCMP.
Oliver was was heading back to the Surrey RCMP detachment on 56 Avenue and 144 Street at the end of his shift when the fatal crash occurred.
The police vehicle was reportedly driving west on 64 Avenue while the transport truck was driving east. There is no indication Oliver’s vehicle’s lights or sirens were activated at the time.
RCMP Officer in Charge Bill Fordy called Oliver “an outstanding police officer, with a great attitude and commitment to serve others.”
