CAMERON, R.L. ((CAMERON, R.L. (Robin Lynelle)))
The Gallery
The Nameplates
Pillar Location: Pillar: 11 - XI, Row:25, Column:C
Troop Number and Year: TR. 39 Jul. 23, 2001
Pillar Location: XI (11) Row 25 Column C
Troop Number and Year: TR. 39 2000/01
The Bricks
The Stories
Robin Lynelle Cameron was born on September 10, 1976, at Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. Raised on the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, Robin was the second oldest of her siblings. From a very young age, she dreamed of joining the RCMP and over the years she had many role models to look up to. Her Uncle Rick Gamble was the first to join the RCMP from the Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation back in 1972, four years before Robin was born. Over the next several decades many community members followed in her Uncle Rick’s footsteps, including her father, three other uncles and then herself, in 2001.
Robin began her formal education in public school and finished off her elementary school years at St. Michael’s Residential School, which she was not fond of. Her high school years consisted of a mix of attending residential and public school. She went through some challenges during this time frame: Her elder brother Darwin, a very talented hockey player, at just seventeen years of age, suffered very serious, life-changing injuries in a motor vehicle accident. This tragedy not only seriously affected Darwin’s life, it also affected each member of the family. As the second oldest, Robin’s role in the family also changed. At eighteen she dropped out of school due to a teen pregnancy. She welcomed her daughter Shayne into the family and after a year or so, she got herself back on track, returned to high school, graduated, and went on to the University of Saskatchewan. She applied to join the RCMP, was turned down due to eye sight problems. Undeterred, Robin had surgery on her eyes, her vision improved and went right back and reapplied to the RCMP. This time she was accepted.
Then, at 24 years of age, Monday, February 17, 2001, Cadet Robin Cameron, became a member of Troop 39 2000//01, and commenced her basic recruit training at RCMP “Depot” Division in Regina, Sk. She was on her way to living the dream she had as a little girl. And she was well prepared: She knew what she wanted to do, she was determined, she had faced her challenges, she learned the value of family and through her athletic endeavors, be it soccer, basketball, or volleyball, experienced the value of working as a team. She adapted well to Cadet Training, her athletic skill was notable, she got on well with her troopmates, had the strength and determination to focus on all the tasks at hand, and she succeeded. And her daughter Shayne was always her primary reason to succeed.
On Monday, July 23rd, 2001, the members of Troop 39, 2000/01 graduated and were sworn-in as Peace Officers with the RCMP. The following day the new graduates (all of Saskatchewan First Nations ancestry), were transferred to postings across Saskatchewan. (F Division). Regimental # 48795, Constable R.L. Cameron was posted some 665 kms north of Regina to the village of Beauval in northern Saskatchewan. On her way to her first Detachment, Robin stopped at home, the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation, for a short visit with family and friends. Then she and Shayne, along with Robin’s younger sister Dianne, motored off to begin their new lives in the village of Beauval, overlooking the Beaver River Valley.
Cst. Cameron settled into her field training, learning, and experiencing first-hand, her varied general duties as a Peace Officer and Shayne was off to school. Around that same time period, the RCMP was introducing a new Aboriginal Perception Program, to be delivered by a team of experienced field members. Robin, despite her very limited field experience, was appointed to join that team, due to her cultural knowledge and communication abilities. According to the program supervisor, her superiors were very, very happy with her results. She was off to a great career start and fast becoming a role model for others.
Two years later, in 2003, Mom & daughter were transferred 366 kms southwest to Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, a new detachment & school. During their posting they resided in Chitek Lake and the village Leoville. One of the six Constables at the Spiritwood Detachment was troop mate Jason Brown. Jason speaks very highly of his troop mate, as a strong minded, confident young woman, a teacher of culture, customs and why things were the way they were. And she was a very dependable partner and great back-up in the field, and a very loving mother for Shayne.
On Friday, July 7, 2006, Cst. Cameron received word that her transfer to Saskatoon was confirmed. She was very excited about that move. Later the same day, in the early evening, Constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages, responded to a domestic dispute in the community. Upon their arrival, a male fled the scene in a pickup truck, with the two Constables in pursuit. Cst. Michelle Knopp followed in a separate vehicle, in a back-up role. Some 27 kilometers outside of Spiritwood, both Constables, Cameron and Bourdages, were shot in the head through the windshield of their patrol vehicle. Cst. Knopp, who came in behind them, was also struck by bullet fragments. Constables Bourdages and Cameron, were transported to the University Hospital in Saskatoon in serious, critical condition. Some eight days later, both passed away within hours of one another. Robin on July 15th and Marc in the early morning hours of the 16th. Robin was just seven days shy of her five-year anniversary with the Force. The shooter, Curtis Dagenais, who abandoned his vehicle and ran off on foot, managed to evade a massive search but subsequently turned himself in. Three years later, on March 12th, a jury found him guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.
TWO YOUNG PILLARS OF THE FORCE, RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF DUTY & FELL IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
BOTH ARE COMMEMORATED IN THE RCMP HONOUR ROLL BOOK AT THE RCMP CHAPEL AND CENOTAPH ON THE DEPOT PARADE SQUARE.
Cst. Knopp received the Medal of Bravery for risking her life in an attempt to rescue her colleagues.
Cst. Bourdages, was honoured in a regimental funeral on July 25 in Regina, followed by a private family ceremony in his hometown of Saint-Eustache, Que.
Cst. Cameron’s body was returned home to the Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation on Wednesday July 19th. A four-day wake was held in her memory. She was laid to rest on Friday, July 21st at Beardy’s & Okemasis Cemetery.
Thousands of Police officers from across Canada joined the many mourners attendingthe four-day wake for Cst. Robin Cameron. Video feeds had to be placed in tents, to accommodate the overflow of people, especially for the Friday funeral. The regimental service combined both RCMP and First Nations Honors and traditions. Some thirty members of the RCMP were also made honourary members of the Band and five of them wrapped RCMP blankets around Robin’s daughter Shayne and her parents. In the words of the Beardy's & Okemasis Ceremonial Keeper, Milton Gamble: "Robin left us far too early! It's always hard to lose a young person who carried so much weight in the community as a role model. " It's even harder when you lose a family member”. Robin’s Uncle Derek said: "It's a sad and somber day for our community, but as we make our way through the program and the service, something will lift us. I know Robin is going to be amongst us and in our own special way we will send her home in a good way." Chief Rick Gamble, Robin’s uncle and RCMP veteran described his niece as “A gregarious young lady who had a winning smile and a talent for making acquaintances". He also announced that the Beardy’s & Okemasis community was honouring Robin by renaming the learning Centre, to the CONSTABLE ROBIN CAMERON MEMORIAL EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX. Her Honour, the Honourable Lt. Governor of Saskatchewan Lynda Haverstock delivered condolences from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to "family, friends and colleagues of this special young woman."
Cst. Robin Cameron was a positive influence and served as a role model in her community and beyond. Many condolences and memories were shared by friends, colleagues and family, and one clearly places an emphasis on just how well known and respected “She” was. “You know, a lot of people who didn't have the privilege of knowing you personally, have said that they wished that they could have met you, and Robin, I wish that they could have too. There was just something about you, something so special. You will never be forgotten, never”.
The following is just a random sample of so many wonderful condolences:
To one of the most awesome individuals ever. You are an inspiration to me and my family.
You both continue to inspire me along my journey.
You are one of those special people blessed to serve and protect people of Canada. And being a hero for aboriginal peoples.
You are making a future for your child l and for that Robin you are my ROLE MODEL.
My sister, you've done so much for the family, always being there for Darwin, just as Darwin was always there for us. You guys are important people in my life.
You will be in our hearts until we meet again. Look after us and come see us once in a while. I love you.
CONSTABLE ROBIN CAMERON: A PILLAR OF THE FORCE: DUTY DONE!
WE SHALL REMEMBER
Divisions Served: F
Medals and Honours: CO’S Commendation CRCMEC: Cst. Robin Cameron Memorial Educational Complex
Pillar Location: XI (11) Row 25 Column C
Regimental Number: #48795
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: TR. 39 2000/01
Home Town: Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation
Engagement Date: Feb 17, 2001
Regimental Number: #48795
Troop Number and Year: TR. 39 Jul. 23, 2001