Media Release - Prince Albert Police Service Members Recognized During National Police Week

In recognition of National Police Week, Chief Bergen brought back a past tradition at our police service of visiting the final resting places of police members who have passed away. Each of these five members passed away while still employed with the Prince Albert Police Service, including Cst. Matthew Kwasnica, who was electrocuted while on duty and responding to a vehicle collision in 1956.

Sgt. Garfield (Garry) Drake, Cst. Eddie Banman, Cst. Allan Telfer, and Cst. Tim Ballantyne were not on duty at the time of their deaths, but were serving officers with our organization. All were remembered Wednesday for their work in our community and their commitment to public safety.

Retired officers who joined Chief Bergen Wednesday included Retired Chief of Police Wes Stubbs, along with Gene Miller, Al Fraser, Eldon Laird, and Rick Galloway. Each shared fond memories of their former colleagues and their time with the Prince Albert Police Service.

Also participating in the memorial services Wednesday were Inspector Craig Mushka and Inspector Lisa Simonson with our service, Chaplain Nora Vedress, along with Finance and HR Director Angela Dumont, Executive Assistant Kerby Toews, and Cst. Darcy Burns.

Chief Bergen said it’s important to remember those who served and whose contributions over the years helped shape the Prince Albert Police Service. The laying of wreaths during National Police Week was an annual tradition for many years throughout the 1970s and ‘80s.

“Our alumni members continue to have strong connections to our community, and are helping us stay connected to those who served before us,” Chief Bergen said. “In remembering their names and their service as police officers in our community, we are ensuring their contributions continue to be remembered as our organization moves forward.”

Hired in 1951, Cst. Matthew Kwasnica had been promoted to the rank of First Class Constable just a month before he passed away on duty in August of 1956. He is remembered as a very fine man and a valued member with our police service who showed a lot of promise in his short career. He left behind a wife and two very young children. His daughter Susan participated in the memorial service for her father Wednesday. Kwasnica Place in the Crescent Acres neighbourhood is named in honour of Cst. Matthew Kwasnica.

Sgt. Garry Drake served from 1960 to 1996 and spent the majority of his career on front-line Patrol. In the mid-1960s, he joined other officers in leading the Monarch Club for youth, which was established in the 1940s to offer a guiding hand to youth on probation. In 1975, Sgt. Drake was appointed to respond to increasing rates of vandalism and youth crime in the city. His plan for a youth detail in Prince Albert to offer programming and supports for youth at risk of offending resulted in an 11% drop in the number of young people being sent to court by 1978.

Sgt. Drake received the Police Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada upon reaching 20 years of service in October 1983. He received the first bar for 30 years of service in November 1990.

Cst. Eddie Banman served from 1972 to 1994 and designed the first should flash, or arm badge, worn on our police uniforms. Shoulder flashes are required to be worn on the sleeves of all unformed officers, and are legislated under the Police Act. The basic design, which still resembles flashes worn by current PAPS members, was adopted by several other police services in Saskatchewan in 1976.

Cst. Banman was is also remembered for starting a Police Ventures group through the Scouts program for youth to enjoy the outdoors. He received the Police Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in recognition of 20 years of service in January 1993.

Cst. Allan Telfer passed away in 1972 at the age of 28 while still a serving member with our service. A police badge sits atop his headstone in memory of his time with our service. Telfer Bay in the Crescent Acres area of Prince Albert is named in recognition of Allan Telfer.

Cst. Tim Ballantyne joined our police service in 2005 after participating in an Indigenous mentoring program with the Prince Albert Police Service. He served on Patrol until his untimely death in December 2010. Tim Ballantyne was 27 years old and was described as a caring father and a good friend to all.

With special thanks to the Prince Albert Police Service Association Alumni.