annual battle for the badge A charity hockey game took on added significance Wednesday night following the killing of two Edmonton police officers.
The game at Spruce Grove’s Grant Fool Arena is a fundraiser for the Legacy Place Society, an Alberta-based organization that supports first responders and military personnel seeking mental health help.
The event featured the Parkland Athletic Club U18AA Team against a team of Parkland County RCMP Police Officers and members of the Spruce Grove Fire Department (SGFD).
Thursday’s game was also an opportunity to honor Constable’s Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan, who died in the line of duty last week.
read more:
Mother fought to get gun from son after son killed two EPS police officers, no link to other crimes shown: police
Two young officers were answering domestic violence calls at the Baywood Apartments complex just off Groat Road and 114 Avenue.
Officers greeted the 16-year-old shooter’s mother outside. The teenager opened fire on the officers as they went to the suite where she lived with a 73-year-old man and her son, neither of whom even had a chance to draw their weapons.
“It’s been a tough week. It really shows what we’re going through behind the scenes and it could be for any of us.
“It could be any one first responder. It could be an EMT, and the first person to show up at that door could be a firefighter.”
A tribute was given to the two officials before the game.
read more:
Fathering ‘Snow Angels’: Murdered Edmonton Officers Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan Remembered
Ryan lived in a community west of Edmonton. In his spare time, the 30-year-old serves as his hockey official for his Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association minors, and last year he also hosted the Battle for the Badges game.
His wife Ashley Ryan is also a first responder. She was a paramedic on duty and at the Royal Alexandra Hospital when her husband was taken away after being shot.
Wearing an Edmonton Police Service jacket, she dropped her puck during a ceremonial showdown.
13
Ashley, wife of fallen officer Brett Ryan, attends Ryan and Const’s memorial service. Travis Her Jordan before the “Battle for the Badges” fundraiser at Spruce Grove on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Courtesy of Donna Zazurak
23
Ashley, wife of fallen officer Brett Ryan, attends Ryan and Const’s memorial service. Travis Her Jordan before the “Battle for the Badges” fundraiser at Spruce Grove on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Courtesy of Donna Zazurak
33
Ashley, wife of fallen officer Brett Ryan, attends Ryan and Const’s memorial service. Travis Her Jordan before the “Battle for the Badges” fundraiser at Spruce Grove on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Courtesy of Donna Zazurak
Barricette, Ryan’s best friend, said the fallen officer and former paramedic was special.
“He’s a socialite. He was brave. He knew what he wanted,” said Barrickett.
“He was the first to stand up for his friends and talk to all of our friends. He was the kindest person in our group of friends.
“He was a man who gave back to everyone.”
The deaths of the two men had a profound impact on the entire police and emergency services community.
“When you’re so close to home here, it definitely hits hard,” said RCMP Cpl. Andrew Barron. Ryan was about to become a father for the first time – his wife is due this summer.
“It’s someone with a young family and you can put yourself in their shoes.”
read more:
Two Edmonton police officers shot dead: ‘unthinkable and terrible tragedy’
RCMP Insp. Added by Kevin McGilliverly.
As he deals with the tragedy, Barrickett is grateful for the opportunity to honor his friend.
“It’s disappointing that it has to be this way and that Brett has to be recognized like this, but I think people will remember Brett for the good and see what he did and brought to the community. ” he said.
A regimental funeral will be held for the two officers at Rogers Place on Monday, March 27. Global News will broadcast live on TV, radio and online.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
