Columbia Valley RCMP Report

At 10:20 p.m. on April 19, a 2003 GMC Sierra was stopped as a result of a speeding infraction on Highway 93/95, one kilometre north of Fairmont Hot Springs.

The 25-year-old driver from Fairmont displayed signs of having consumed liquor. An ASD demand was read at which time the driver blew a fail. The male’s driver’s licence was suspended 90 days and his vehicle impounded. The driver was also issued a speeding ticket.

Village lights broken

The Village of Radium Hot Springs reported five broken lights that are attached to the railings at the north end of the sidewalk located on Hwy 95.

Minor damage to Galena Church

Columbia Valley Detachment was called April 17 in regard to a report of a fire at the Galena Church building between Brisco and Spillimacheen. It was determined that a fire was lit in stove that was clogged up by an old birds nest and debris. The damage was minimal.

Drunken disturbance sent home

Columbia Valley Detachment Members responded to a disturbance complaint involving an intoxicated male at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The male, age 25 from Alberta, and another male had departed by the time police arrived. Two males were later located and indicated that they would be heading to their place of residence. No further action needed to be taken.

$8.6 million

Further fraud letters continue to come into the Columbia Valley. Some person with the same name as yours was killed in a car accident, along with his wife and 16-year-old child. Guy had $8.6 million and left no will to pass on the money. Since you have the same name you must be related, so contact me with your banking information and we can split the money. We each get $3,870,000 and 10% we give to the less privileged. I’m ticked, why can’t a Shehovac have $8.6 million in a Spanish Bank and get killed off in a car accident? Typical fraud letter.

Citizens On Patrol

Last call for volunteers that wish to get involved with Citizens on Patrol for Radium and Invermere.  I plan on starting the training for these volunteers next month. Citizens on Patrol volunteers also are involved with Speed Watch Program. A good opportunity to be involved in keeping your community safe. Call the detachment if interested 342-9292

Bikes are out

With the good weather now upon us, our kids going to and from school are out peddling their bikes. Some of the younger kids are still working on their control of the bike and for our drivers, slow down to a crawl in the school zones, and always anticipate that one of these kids just might accidently bolt out in front of you. I am doing a bike rodeo at Eileen Madson this week and I have my eye on a couple of kids.  If they don’t pass the grueling tests I put them through, I will be impounding a few bikes.

Detachment Open House

For the third year the Columbia Valley Detachment will be hosting an open house.

This event will take place May 8 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event is sponsored by, the Lake Windermere District Lions Club who will be once again doing a BBQ for those attending. Tim Hortons supplies the police food while Canadian Tire and Home Hardware sponsor prizes for each Grade 3 class in the valley for the best poster from each class. Come out, have dinner on us. All the police toys will be set up in the back for the kids to jump on. The Lions will be printing the children if you so wish. Kids seem to enjoy touring the cell block.  All the posters will be posted on the walls.

Three-shot Kennedy  (Part 1 of 2)

Unfortunately there are times when we have to shoot a bear. In this instance a rather large bear was in a back yard, with kids about to get out of school. I advised ‘one-shot’ Cpl. Kennedy to take the shot.

I positioned myself on the other side of the house blocking the street to ensure a safe shot. Boom; shot goes off and I walk away from my police vehicle and walk towards the back yard. Boom; ok, ‘two-shot’ Kennedy, to make sure it’s finished. By now I’m approaching the house, well away from my car. Boom; now my confidence level in Barry’s marksmanship is weakening.

I continue to approach the back yard and all I hear on the radio from Cpl. Kennedy is, “Marko, he’s coming your way.” I have a wounded, ticked off bear and Barry gives me fair warning –  “coming my way.” My option, turn my back and try to outrun the bear back to my police vehicle. I do the math: 400 lb. fast bear, angry + 210 lb. out of shape cop + 20 yard dash to police vehicle = This is not good.

So, I do the Clint Eastwood thing, hum  the theme of the GOOD, (me) the BAD (the bear) and the UGLY (Kennedy) in my head as I draw my pea shooter 9mm gun out at the ready, knowing full well it’s not going to help. Twice in my career I worked a full shift with an empty 38 revolver so I’m now going to get to do my favorite Clint Eastwood moment when the bear comes around the corner. I’ve been waiting a long time to use this and now it’s come. As I soon expect to see the bear round the corner, I’m ready. “This is a 9mm &Wesson, the 66th most powerful handgun in the world. You have to ask yourself, did I load the gun this morning or didn’t I. In all the excitement to come to work, I just can’t remember. Do you feel lucky bear, well do you punk?”  Then it happened!

I will stop the story here as the editors like to keep it short. Tune in next week and find out how small town folks react when they see police cars all over the place with shots fired. Hint. I survive.

S/Sgt. Mark Shehovac,

Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

Article Share