Miramichi residents are feeling a mix of pride and grief after a member of the Canadian military was shot and killed by a gunman in Ottawa on Wednesday.

Kevin Michael Vickers, Canada's Sergeant-at-Arms, is from the Miramichi area. He is credited with shooting Michael Zehaf-Bibeau during a gunfight inside Parliament Hill.

Zehaf-Bibeau entered the Hall of Honour at around 10 a.m. Wednesday after soldier Nathan Frank Cirillo was fatally shot at the National War Memorial just off Parliament property.

“You just go wow, that’s a true hero,” said Vickers’ cousin, Keith Vickers. “Somebody calm under, you know, a lot of stress, but that’s Kevin and it’s doesn’t surprise me. He is what he is.”

Keith said they grew up together in Miramichi, enjoying hunting and fishing, and their close relationship continued into their personal lives. Keith was working in Ottawa as an MP’s assistant when Vickers was hired as Canada’s Sergeant-at-Arms.

“He told me how the interview went and he thought he had a good chance, but there was about 50-some other people, but he came through and he said all the right things apparently and thank God it was him.”

But as Miramichi residents talk with pride about Vickers, they are also remembering Cirillo. Mayor Jerry Cormier ordered the flags at the cenotaph to be lowered to half-mast.

“I would imagine they’ll remain until all the ceremonies are done,” said Cormier.

He also said the city will find a way to honour Vickers in the future.

Vickers was a 29-year RCMP veteran when he took the position of director of security operations at the House of Commons in 2005.

The 58-year-old has previously worked as an Aide-de-Camp for the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and has provided personal security for high-profile visitors like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew.

Vickers has received several commendations throughout his career, including being recognized by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency for "outstanding contribution to drug enforcement."

He received a standing ovation on Thursday in the House of Commons and federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was among those who thanked him for his heroic actions.

“I know the finest thing we could do for him right now would be to let him leave this place and go fly-fishing on the Miramichi!” she said to Vickers, who gave a thumbs-up to the idea.

Vickers released a statement about the incident on Thursday. The full statement is included below.

Statement from Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers

I am very touched by the attention directed at me following yesterday’s events. However, I have the support of a remarkable security team that is committed to ensuring the safety of Members, employees and visitors to the Hill. Yesterday, during extraordinary circumstances, security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part of this team.

House of Commons Security Services also maintains a close working relationship with its security partners, including Senate Security, the RCMP and the Ottawa Police. This close collaboration made it possible to pull together and quickly restore order in the Parliamentary Precinct and throughout the downtown core.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Speaker, the Hon. Andrew Scheer, for his leadership and calm demeanour throughout.

On behalf of all members of the House of Commons Security Services team, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. Our prayers are with you. Our thoughts are also with Constable Samearn Son, who has been with the House of Commons Security Services for 10 years. Constable Son suffered a gun shot wound to the leg. He is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.

As this is an ongoing investigation, I unfortunately cannot comment any further at this time, nor can any member of my Security Services team.

Thank you,

Kevin Vickers

With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis and CTVNews.ca