Terrance Allan Zeniuk ((ZIELKE,K.L.))
The Gallery
The Nameplates
Pillar Placement: Column A
Pillar Location: Pillar X - 10 - (Plaque 41)
Troop Number and Year: TR. 6 1974/75
Pillar Location: Pillar: 10 - X, Row:12, Column:F
Troop Number and Year: Troop 4, 1985/86
The Bricks
The Stories
I was born in Vegreville, Alberta in January, 1962 to Nick and Susan Zeniuk. I was the New Year’s baby for the community. I was the third of three boys.
I was raised on our family farm (Latitude 53 degrees 32‘31.02 N - Longitude 111 degrees 43‘5.55 W) located in the rural community of Plain Lake, situated about halfway between Vegreville and Two Hills, Alberta.
I attended grade one to nine at Lavoy School in Lavoy, Alberta. I went on to Vegreville Composite High School. I graduated from grade twelve in 1980.
I had many interests. I had an interest in plumbing, radio & television arts, teaching or being a police officer.
Being a police officer was the occupation most appealing. I was attracted to city police or the RCMP. I liked to help others and was intrigued by the variety and unpredictability of the work. Being a Capricorn, I am organized and methodical so I thought I would be a good investigator.
From 1980 to 1985, I attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and received a Bachelor of Education Degree. I supplemented my degree by taking criminology, native studies, and sociology courses.
Between 1983 and 1985, I worked as an Auxiliary RCMP Constable at both Vegreville and Canmore Detachments. This was a chance to see the inner workings of the Force. I was impressed by the camaraderie amongst the members.
On August 9, 1985 at age 23, I joined the RCMP as a regular member. I was sworn in at Vegreville Detachment by Inspector W.L. Danahue. Also present were my mother and Staff Sergeant Peter Wlodarzak.
On arrival at Depot Division days later, I became a member of Troop 4 of 1985/86. I was assigned regiment number 38345. Our troop experienced summer, fall and winter. The Charter was a new concept. Though training was difficult, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My troopmates were quality men who complimented one another. It was my honour to graduate with them.
In November 1985, I met a young lady named Joan in Regina. Little did I know she would steal my heart. Joan was a graduate of the University of Regina and a teacher.
In March 1986, I arrived at my first posting in “E Division’s North Vancouver Detachment. This was exactly what I asked for. I wanted to be in a large urban area that was busy. I was in North Vancouver for 4 years.
First, I worked in General Duty on “C” Watch. My recruit field trainer was Constable Glenn Kibsey, Reg. 34126. Glenn was a great teacher and we worked very well together. I became friends with co-worker Constable Beverly Busson who later became Commissioner. I also trained my first recruit, Constable Regent Cardinal, who went on to a successful career in the Force.
In 1987, I transferred to General Investigation Section. Our unit focused on break and enters and property crime. Through study of historic files, use of informants, and surveillance our team solved many offences.
On August 20, 1988 Joan and I were married in front of family and friends at the RCMP Chapel at Depot Division. My best man was my friend from North Vancouver, Constable Craig Duffin, Reg. 38427. We had a reception with about 200 guests at a downtown hotel in Regina. We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii.
In 1990, I completed my tenure in North Vancouver on Traffic Section. While I was in the unit for only a few months I enjoyed the work. I remembered my Depot instructor’s advice to always be firm, fair and friendly.
In April 1990, I accepted a transfer to “G” Division’s Yellowknife Detachment. While I was interested in northern experience, our goal as a couple was an eventual return to the prairie region to be closer to family. We would spend our next 7 years in Yellowknife.
While on General Duty, I found it a rugged place. While the city was a civil government centre during the day, when night came the streets were very rough. I was well suited for the posting and up to the challenge.
In 1991, I agreed to a transfer to “G” Division Court Detail. I worked closely with Federal Crown. I reviewed prosecutor sheets, organized witnesses and managed court documents. The scope of duty included Western Arctic detachments who had accused appearing in Yellowknife court. I was prosecutor for Justice of the Peace Court and conducted minor trials. In 1992, I was on Court Detail during the Giant Mine strike when an explosion was deliberately set underground and killed 9 men.
In May 1992, I moved to “G” Division Commercial Crime. This was my first opportunity to conduct detailed and lengthy financial crime investigations. In July 1994, I received a promotion to Corporal in Commercial Crime.
A few years later, I took a transfer to “G” Division Criminal Operations and was instrumental in creation of the first Criminal Intelligence Program for “G” Division. The program earned praise from HQ, Criminal Intelligence Directorate, as an example of how a small unit could do big things.
While in the north, I did relief duty above the Arctic Circle at Gjoa Haven Detachment. Through work I travelled on the Force twin otter CF-MPB and visited most detachments in the Western Arctic.
Joan and I arrived in Yellowknife a young couple and would depart a young family. Our daughter Kyla was born in 1994 and our son Ryan in 1996. Both arrived at Stanton Yellowknife Hospital.
In July 1997, I accepted a transfer to “K” Division. As a couple we were now within driving distance of family. I completed the next 14 years of my service in Calgary.
My first duty was the Bre-X Task Force which gained international notoriety. After a year, I moved to “K” Division Intelligence Field Operations. The unit later became “K” Division Crime Analysis Section. I supported Major Crime and General Investigation Section on complex cases while managing a criminal intelligence portfolio.
On the last day of 1999, I was assigned to Brooks Detachment for a shift in anticipation of Y2K issues. The issues never materialized. Then in 2000, I assisted after the Pine Lake tornado near Red Deer which tragically killed 14 people.
In November 2003, I was promoted to Sergeant and NCO I/C of National Security Investigation Section for Southern Alberta. The team grew from four to approximately ten, which included two members of the Calgary Police Service. With my guidance the unit earned the first Outreach Award from HQ, National Security Branch, for initiatives in the community.
In November 2009, I welcomed a lateral transfer to the Integrated Market Enforcement Team. Our team successfully investigated a large scale ponzi scheme which reached into the millions of dollars and impacted many investors.
I supported Banff Detachment on weekends during summer months. By day, I patrolled the national parks or donned my red serge to meet tourists. I kept track and am confident my photograph in red serge is on every continent of the planet! By night, I returned to working uniform to assist with the public.
I completed courses at the Canadian Police College and RCMP centralized training where I later instructed in crisis negotiation and intelligence analysis, respectively. I obtained a University Certificate in Administration from Athabasca University, Certificate in Police Leadership from Dalhousie University, Certificate in Intelligence Analysis from California State University, and Certificate in Project Management from Mount Royal University.
I completed national crisis negotiation courses for Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. As a member of the national RCMP Critical Response Team, I was assigned as negotiator to the G8 Summit at Kananaskis, Alberta in June 2002. Domestically, I attended over 100 critical events with the Emergency Response Team.
I was VIP trained and participated in protecting Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince William and Princess Kate, George W. Bush and Prime Minsters Martin, Chretien and Harper, amongst others. My final duty was to guard the European Counsel delegation at G20 in Toronto in 2010.
In my service, I was awarded three medals. I received a Long Service Medal with bronze clasp for achievement of 25 years, an Alberta Centennial Medal for contributions to the province’s citizens and community, and an Alberta Emergency Services Medal for supporting emergency prevention, preparedness and response.
On November 2, 2011 at age 49 and after over 26 years of service, I retired to explore other opportunities. Joan and I remained in the Calgary area.
I will always be grateful for the love and support of my wife, Joan and our children Kyla and Ryan. My family mean the world to me and I can never repay the gratitude. My RCMP commitment was not something they signed up for, yet they were with me in every step.
Looking back, the RCMP journey was like a dream. I was part of something special. The Force provided challenges, opportunities, and experiences I never imagined. There were pitfalls like any organization, but it was a wonderful career. It is true though when the job is done, all you have left is family and friends. And with all that, your memories are real.
I salute all the Mounties who came before me and wish Godspeed to those who came after.
“I’ll never regret someone I had a time or experience with. You made my life special at a certain time. We grew together, even if we grew apart. Thank you.” Unknown
Best Wishes,
T.A. (Terrance) Zeniuk, 38345
Divisions Served: E, G, K
Medals and Honours: Long Service w Bronze Clasp, Alberta Centennial, Alberta Emergency Services
Pillar Location: Pillar: 10 - X, Row:12, Column:F
Regimental Number: 38345
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: Troop 4, 1985/86
Home Town: Vegreville, Alberta
Regimental Number: #31481
Troop Number and Year: TR. 6 1974/75