One year after her death, 200 pay respect to Cst. Sarah Beckett

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Watch: Close to 200 people paid their respects to RCMP Cst. Sarah Beckett.

Beckett died one year ago today when a pickup truck slammed into her police cruiser.

As Mary Griffin reports, the outpouring of support for the fallen officer, her family, and her colleagues continues.

West Shore detachment commander Staff Sgt. Raj Sandhu opened the service by remembering a fallen colleague.

“We’ve gathered here as a small intimate group of friends, family, and colleagues.”

Despite the rain, close to 200 attend the service to remember RCMP Cst. Sarah Beckett.

“Tragedy struck our family on April 5, 2016.

Which took Sarah’s life.”

On April 5th, 2016, a pickup truck struck Beckett’s marked vehicle early in the morning near the intersection of Peatt Road and Goldstream.

Despite attempts by paramedics, the officer died a short time later.

Sandhu says the outpouring of support from the community overwhelming.

“There’s been so much public support for Sarah’s family, our detachment, over this past year.

I wish to thank everyone for this on behalf of the RCMP, Sarah’s family and the detachment.”

Many who paid their respects today, also worked with Beckett, including West Shore Towing owner Dave Lequesne.

“I met her when she first came to the West Shore detachment.

I was at the scene that night.

Yeah, it was tough.”

Colwood mayor Carol Hamilton brought flowers to be laid on the plaque honoring Cst. Beckett.

“I put flowers down in remembrance, and recognition, and in my heart.

Of the ripple effect that it happened in our community.

And it will continue happening for some time.”

Langford Mayor Stewart Young says the death of the officer has brought the community together.

“It takes a tragedy, and everything else, maybe, like this to bring people out.

But I’ve never seen such an outpouring of support, that you know, they’ve given to Sarah Beckett.”

The man charged in connection with her death, Kenneth Fenton, will appear in court Thursday.

He’s facing five charges, including impaired driving causing death.

Charges may also be laid against a West Shore officer.

But for now, the community continues to grieve.

Chaplain Ben Yablonski closed the service with a prayer.

“Lord we praise you for bringing Sarah into our lives.

Even now when our hearts break from the loss, we do give thanks.

For the richness that she brought into our lives.

For the friendship, her wit, her character.

Again, her care and her love for us.”

Mary GriffinMary Griffin

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