A Saint John park will soon be renamed in honour of one of three RCMP officers killed by a gunman in Moncton on June 4.
Const. Doug Larche, 40, was originally from the city and residents wanted to do something to honour him.
Coun. Greg Norton says council has voted unanimously to rename Quinton Heights Park in honour of Larche.
“There’s going to be a first-class monument that’s going to be replaced…we’re going to have four fantastic granite benches that are going to have some inscriptions from members of the RCMP community,” says Norton.
“I would characterize him as a hometown hero.”
Royal red maple trees will be planted in the park, which will also feature a new sign bearing its new name.
“This is fantastic, this park is going to be a living park,” says Larry Lynch, president of the Royal Canadian Legion branch 69, which has been helping to plan the park.
“You think of the legion and you think we’re honouring the veterans that have served in wars. Well, RCMP officers are veterans as well. They started off as military, military unit back in the 1800s. Even today, RCMP officers serve today in various places around the world.”
Work on the park will take place over the next few weeks. It will be dedicated in honour of Larche on Oct. 19.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
