Photo from Wikimedia Commons

By Curtis Galbraith

Mayerthorpe Tragedy

Wednesday marks 16 years since Mayerthorpe Tragedy

Mar 3, 2021 | 10:24 AM

Wednesday marks the 16th anniversary of what has become known as the Mayerthorpe tragedy.

The killing of four RCMP members on a farm north of Rochfort Bridge on March 3, 2005 led to sadness and mourning across the country, a televised memorial service, and memorials being set up in both Mayerthorpe (pictured above) and Whitecourt.

Constables Peter Schiemann. Brock Myrol and Leo Johnston from the Mayerthorpe detachment, along with Constable Anthony Gordon, who was stationed in Whitecourt, were shot and killed during an investigation into a marijuana grow op and chop shop on that farm.

Gunman James Roszko later took his own life after being wounded in a shootout with another Mountie. Several weapons were later found in a Quonset where the shootings took place.

A memorial service shown on t.v. across the country was later held in Edmonton.

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Two other men, Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman, were later charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. They admitted to giving Roszko a ride and giving him a rifle.

Hennessey was given a 15-year jail sentence, while Cheeseman received 10 years. He was later given statutory release while Hennessey was paroled.