Terkelsen, Ernest Bruce Marius (Terk)

Regimental Number: 18455 & O.1025

Pillar Location: Pillar: 05 - V, Row: 27, Column: A

Troop Number and Year: Troop K-8

Ernest Bruce Marius (Terk) TERKELSEN was born in Princeton, B.C. in July of 1934. He grew up in Burnaby where he attended school and spent his summers on a family farm in Armstrong, BC. He grew into a tall, 6’ 4” natural athletic teenager, involved in many sports, including football, baseball and basketball. He was member of the South Burnaby High School basketball team that won the 1953 provincial championship as well as a member of the Blue Bombers Junior football team, which won the BC and Alberta championship in the fall of ’53. Some six decades later he and his basketball team were inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame. His love of sports would also see him transition from player to coach, in a variety of sports and organizations.

1953 was a big year for Bruce: in addition to winning provincial championships, he completed Grade 12, applied for and was accepted by the RCMP. He was sworn-in on November 25th, in Vancouver. He had no siblings and had been raised from the age of two by a single parent, his Mother and was concerned about leaving her behind. He had many mixed and competing feelings, as he boarded the eastbound train heading to N Division in Rockcliffe, Ontario, to begin Part I training, which included equitation, during this time he participated in local Musical Ride performances with his horse, Topper. Bruce then went to Regina Depot Division to complete his training , for a total of 14 months overall. Throughout his training, Terk (his nick name) made a point of regularly sending money

home to assist his Mother. When he graduated in January, 1955, he was very relieved and excited to be returning to his home province, reporting to his first post, Kamloops Sub/Division, on Feb 4th 1955, where he spent his first ten months in general duty policing.

In December, 1955 Terk was transferred to Armstrong Detachment, where he became quite involved in the community. He coached the Armstrong Senior Boys Basketball team to the North Okanagan Championship in 1956. He also befriended a young man who had a sister, Miss Kay Vickers, with whom Bruce struck up a relationship, one that turned into a long term/long distance relationship. Kay was heading off to university and Bruce (Terk) was once again on the move.

His third transfer, came in July 1957 when he was posted to Ashcroft Detachment. One year later he was on the move again but this time his transfers came in rapid succession: on June 8th, 1958 he was transferred to special duties for 6 months in the Kootenays, including Nelson, Castlegar, and Rossland Detachments. In December, 1958, with five years service under his belt, he was transferred to Surrey in the lower mainland, gaining more general duty experience, this time in a larger community.

The 1960’s brought big changes to Terk’s life and his career. The first big change came, on what we now call Canada Day. But, back on July 1st 1960, it was “Terkelsen Day”. Miss Kay Vickers, had just finished the school year in Kelowna, where she was teaching. On this July 1st, she became Mrs. Kay Terkelsen and the couple settled down in Surrey. 1961 brought two more big changes, the arrival of their first child, a son, Guy and Terk’s transfer from General Duty to plain clothes duties in the General Investigation Section (GIS), at Cloverdale, Surrey Detachment. Investigating serious and major crimes was the perfect fit for Terk and he was ready for the new challenge. The next year, 1962, the couple welcomed their second child, a girl, Kenna. In 1966, with five years in GIS under his belt, Terk was transferred to the east end of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack as the NCO in charge of the sub-division GIS and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. This was the first relocation for the young family. In 1967, Terk was awarded the Commanding Officers Commendation, for his role in arresting an armed robbery felon and bringing him to justice.

In 1971, the family was on the move again. Corporal Terkelsen was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to Vancouver sub-division GIS, where he served three more years in plain clothes. Alongside the serious side of his profession Terk never forgot the personal and the family side and even found time to stand in for Santa Claus at the RCMP Children’s Christmas party..

Then in 1974, the family was once again on the move, when Terk was transferred back to the interior of B.C., as NCO i/c, Merrit Detachment and in 1975 promoted Staff Sergeant. During this posting Terk received a second Commanding Officers commendation. This time, for his role in solving a long, drawn out gruesome, double murder and bringing the killer to justice and gaol. Bruce & Kay celebrated their 15th anniversary on July 1st Canada Day with the Staff Sergeant leading the Merritt parade on horseback alongside one of the Constables.

In May of 1976 Bruce was commissioned and the family relocated to Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Inspector Terkelsen was posted as OIC of MBCA/CSA, which included the Marine

Division. In 1978, he moved over to Victoria Sub/Division as second in command. In July 1978 Terk and the RCMP worked jointly with the Canadian Armed Forces to pull off the largest marijuana seizure in Canada’s history up to that point in time. In November 1980 he was also involved in the largest single heroin bust (7.5 million $) in Canada’s history, to date. In his role he also had the opportunity to work with a number of specialized units, like the RCMP Dive team and Emergency Response Team. .

In 1983 Bruce moved to Vancouver Headquarters where he served as OIC of GIS until he retired on June 30 1989, with 36 years of experience. In earlier years, Bruce was involved in providing VIP security - the 1971 Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip and Princess Anne, for example, as well being appointed Honorary Aide de Camp for the Governor General of Canada in 1980, However, it was during his time stationed in Vancouver where, in addition to his regular investigative duties, he took on a larger role serving as VIP Security and media liaison for large profile events, including the 1983 Royal visit, the Pope John Paul II visit, the 1987 Royal visit and the 1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The largest event for which he headed the media liaison team was during the 1986 Expo. It was attended by such dignitaries as Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Vice President George Bush.

Upon retirement from the RCMP, he and Kay moved back to Victoria, where Bruce worked as the Enforcement Officer for the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for the Province of BC for the next 10 years, retiring once and for all at the age of 65. Terk continued to enjoy his connections to the force through his participation in various retiree functions and reunions until his passing in 2014.

Bruce “Terk” Terkelsen, honourably served his country, his province and his communities, a dedicated family man, team player and proud, Pillar of the Force!

Divisions Served: “E”

Medals and Honours: CO’s Commendation -1967 Long Service Medal (LSM)-1973 CO’s Commendation -1975 Long Service Medal Bronze clasp-1978 Long Service Medal Silver clasp-1983 Long Service Medal Gold Clasp & Stars -1988

Pillar Location: Pillar: 05 - V, Row: 27, Column: A

Regimental Number: 18455 & O.1025

Training Division: N Division & Depot Division

Troop Number and Year: Troop K-8

Home Town: Burnaby, B.C.

Engagement Date: 25-11-53