Remembering Constable Rick O’Brien

Ridge Meadows

2024-09-22 10:00 PDT

Maple Ridge, B.C. – September 22, 2024 marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic on-duty death of Ridge Meadows RCMP Constable Frederick ‘Rick’ O’Brien.

Constable O’Brien was best known for his desire to create a positive relationship between law enforcement and youth in our community. Constable O’Brien could often be found interacting with youth at schools or youth lounges in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Constable O’Brien will always be remembered as kind and compassionate, with an incredibly witty sense of humour. Constable O’Brien was very much a family man, and a lover of sports.

In 2017, only a few months after becoming a Mountie, Constable Rick O’Brien was the recipient of an Award of Valour after placing himself at substantial risk when he entered a residence which was subject to an armed home invasion. Constable O’Brien without hesitation entered the home to assist with the rescue of victims and to apprehend the suspects.

Throughout the last 12 months, Constable O’Brien has been honoured in the community through events such as the Joint Forces Jamboree and the unveiling of the Pitt Meadows Youth Lounge, now called the Constable Rick O’Brien Youth Lounge.

This September, Constable O’Brien’s name was added to the Honour Roll and Memorial Wall at RCMP Depot Division in Regina. His name will also be added to the BC Law Enforcement Memorial in Victoria and to the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial in Ottawa later this month.

On September 20, 2024, the Ridge Meadows RCMP held a private ceremony to unveil a Cenotaph and a Wall of Honour to commemorate Constable O’Brien’s legacy of bravery and compassion.

Let’s treasure the moments we shared with Rick and continue to be inspired by the light he brought into our lives, stated Ridge Meadows RCMP Officer-in-Charge Superintendent Wendy Mehat in a speech during the ceremony.

Rick, we love you, we miss you, we honor you, and we will never forget you. Rest in peace – from all your fellow officers, the team at Ridge Meadows, and our partners across the Lower Mainland.

Released by

Superintendent Wendy Mehat
Officer in Charge
Ridge Meadows RCMP

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