POLLOCK, J.W.D. ((POLLOCK, J.W.D. (John William David)))
The Gallery
The Nameplates
Pillar Location: V - 5, Row: 27, Column: A; and VII - 7
Troop Number and Year: TR.10 1971/72
Pillar Location: VII - 7
Troop Number and Year: TR. 10 1971/72
The Stories
March 22, 1949: Dave was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan, son of John William and Mary Stella Pollock. He had two older sisters, Cella Joyce, Carol Ann & a younger brother, James Rodney. Dave attended school in Melfort and graduated from the Melfort Composite Collegiate Institute in 1967. He then worked full time after graduating. He left home when he was hired by Stearns Roger Surveying, working on building the new four-lane Trans-Canada Highway between Central Butte and Swift Current. His next move was to Saskatoon where he worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company & Westons Bakery as a Route Driver. He successfully applied to join the R.C.M.P, but the hiring budget was curtailed, so Dave was encouraged to join the Saskatoon Police Service, who were currently hiring.
October 16, 1969: Dave was sworn in as Constable Pollock, with Saskatoon City Police, Badge #1. Upon completing his six months training, became a member of C Platoon.
July 1971: Dave was sworn into the RCMP as a member of Troop 10, training at Depot Division in Regina. Following graduation, he was transferred west to B.C. “E” Division.
January 1972: Dave arrived at his first posting, Clinton, B.C., General Duties, where he became very involved in the community, curling, riding a horse helping ranchers with their herds. He even rode a few bulls in the local rodeo, winning a silver buckle.
August 1972: Transferred to a one-man Detachment at Spences Bridge in the Fraser Canyon of B.C., policing the Trans-Canada Highway and local community.
October 1972: Transferred to Salmon Arm Detachment on General Duties. He really enjoyed the Shuswap Lake & area.
May 1974: Transferred to Revelstoke Highway Patrol, patrolling an area of Trans-Canada Highway, from east of Sicamous to Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, and Hwy 23 north to Mica Creek, and south towards Needles Ferry.
May 1976: Transferred to Lytton, i/c Highway Patrol, covering an extremely busy area, single lane Trans-Canada Highway, mountain travel, with numerous serious collisions annually. Arrest warrants and drug seizures were common, as were impaired drivers. Dave also investigated firearm offences and assisted in two murder investigations.
October 1978: Dave & his fiancée Beth, travelled to Regina, got married in the RCMP Chapel at Depot Division. They returned to Lytton & moved into their first home, of 500 sq. feet. Dave remained on HP, and Beth nursed at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, both enjoying their service. Dave also played in his own band, Country Jade.
June 1979: Transferred to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, Municipal Traffic. Beth was a nurse at the Regional Hospital, both worked shifts. Nanaimo had the dual distinction of being the home of the Hell's Angels and the Nanaimo Bathtub Races. Many tourists, travelers, alcohol and drug offences kept the police & other first responders very busy.
January 1981: First child, Melanie Lynne, arrived on Jan 4th. The new Dad, noted for his forensic collision investigations, was selected to attend the University of North Florida, IPTM. Dave & another RCMP member were the first students to ever achieve 100% in their final exam. Both were promoted to Senior Collision Analysts. Dave was also involved in a Nanaimo murder investigation involving a high-speed chase, shots exchanged & his arrest of the female suspect, who had walked into her lawyer’s office and shot him at close range with a 30-30 rifle.
May 1982: Promoted to Corporal and transferred to Kamloops as Sub/Division Collision Reconstructionist. Kamloops was the hub of four major highways and covered a large geographic area. Dave conducted numerous complex collision investigations including those involving commercial trucks, causing frequent overnight stays away from home.
November 1983: Second daughter, Heather Elizabeth arrived on Nov 26th. The happy family was blessed with many friends and neighbours, some from previous postings. With Beth now working in the Emergency Surgical Unit, both parents were subject to frequent emergency callouts at the same time. So, they hired a live-in Nanny to help with the children.
May 04, 1984: Constable Robert Charles Anderson was killed on duty assisting in a pursuit of armed suspects, following a jewelry store robbery. His patrol car was broadsided at high-speed resulting in a violent collision. Anderson’s partner, Cpl. Bert Malfair was also seriously injured but survived with long term health consequences. Dave’s reconstruction investigation and subsequent report was recognized as a brilliant example of the abilities and skills of Collision Reconstruction Specialists. Cpl. Pollock received a commendation and verbal accolades from the “E” Division Commanding Officers.
June 1985: Transferred to Kamloops City Detachment, Municipal Traffic. He supervised a terrific team of 13 constables, who delivered great performance goals within the municipality.
Dave attended and instructed a variety of courses at E Division Training in Vancouver. He also taught courses in Kamloops and area. He enjoyed instructional duties and attended Cariboo College University to enhance his English/French language skills. He was recommended for a transfer to the R.C.M.P. Training Academy in Regina.
May 1988: Transferred to Depot Division Regina as a Law Instructor. Dave was also tasked as a Troop Supervisor for two bilingual male/female troops and a female troop, duties that he loved. Melanie & Heather began school there, and Beth worked at Pasqua Hospital.
July 26, 1988: Third daughter, Beverly Nicole was born. The Pollocks enjoyed all the family activities at the Academy, and in the Regina community. They also enjoyed hosting recruits from troops that Dave supervised, spending many extended family events, barbecues, etc. visiting, and creating lasting memories.
October 09, 1989: Daughter #4, Emily Laura arrived rounding out the family at six.
June 1992: Transferred back to the field in E Division, posted to Terrace as NCO i/c Highway Patrol and Senior Reconstruction Analyst for Prince Rupert Sub/Division. Dave’s new duties required major travel and enforcement patrols from Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway north to Atlin, B.C., Customs Enforcement at Fraser Border Crossing between Whitehorse, Yukon and Skagway, Alaska. Patrols north on Highway 37, included detachments Stewart, Dease Lake, & Hazelton. Patrols south included Kitimat. Then patrols west on Highway 16 required ferry & air travel from Prince Rupert to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Massett and Queen Charlotte City detachments. Patrols were on a six-week rotation. Two weeks in the immediate Terrace area, then two weeks North to Alaska, return to Terrace for two weeks locally, then two weeks to the Queen Charlottes, and Prince Rupert. An awesome group of Highway Patrol members, eventually all were well versed in vehicle inspections, customs, drug enforcement, commercial vehicle inspections and sometimes able to travel with the B.C. Provincial Weighmaster and C.V.S.E. Vehicle Inspector. The members and their families were cohesive, friendly, and enjoyed Terrace as their residential home. Dave was kept very busy, supervising, training, and developing his Unit of responsibility. He was also quite busy as the Prince Rupert Sub/Division Collision Reconstructionist.
1993 February: Dave and another Highway Patrol member were travelling together, investigating two separate fatal commercial vehicle accidents. After 14 hours working, and driving at night, in heavy snowfall, upon attempting to return to Terrace Detachment, they struck a moose on the roadway. It was covered in heavy snow and subsequently hard to see. The moose came through the windshield and injured both members, compressing them into their seats. Both were taken to Terrace Municipal Hospital, treated and released the next morning. The collision broke every window in the police vehicle, and the total damage rendered the vehicle a write off. Patrol work in Terrace was always interesting, and somewhat challenging at times.
The bilingual Pollock children attended the Terrace Christian School. Melanie had already progressed to Terrace High School when word was received of yet another transfer. Melanie decided to complete her high schooling in Terrace and was then accepted to Trinity Western University.
September 1998: Dave was transferred to the Coquihalla Freeway Patrol, also known as Merritt Highway Patrol and was the Collision Reconstructionist for the area. As housing and schools were a concern, he and Beth decided that she would work in Kamloops, and the three remaining girls would attend Kamloops Christian School. The family purchased a new home In Kamloops, and the girls were elated that they had a swimming pool & hot tub. Dave began commuting to work in Merritt, as the Highway Patrol operational supervisor. Challenging working conditions with many serious collisions on the Coquihalla highway, also kept him busy as the only Reconstructionist.
April 06, 1999: Dave was injured following a robbery and subsequent high-speed chase, involving collisions and firearms. Surgery and recovery time followed. Unknown at the time, this would be Dave’s last shift. He was subsequently diagnosed with severe P.T.S.D. and required lengthy professional counselling. Thirty years of collision investigations, over 500 fatalities, thousands of injury collisions, and the murder investigations had taken their toll.
October 26, 1999: Mrs. Pollock decided to vacate the marriage and leave with the children. Dave was shocked and heartbroken.
January 20, 2000: While walking across a slippery ice & snowy surface to attend a murder trial in Kelowna, Dave fell and broke his neck and shoulder.
May 2000: Dave’s sister, Cella died whilst visiting in Kamloops and Dave received spinal surgery that would subsequently conclude his service in the R.C.M.P.
August 01, 2000: Dave officially retired from the RCMP, having served 28 years.
2006: Dave returned to work once again, this time as a School Bus Driver in Kamloops School District 73.
2021: Retired again, this time from having been a Special Needs driver, and experience as a Union Shop Steward & Vice President.
In retirement Dave spends his time as volunteer driver for Chase Seniors Transit and maintaining a relationship with his now adult daughters.
Divisions Served: “E” & “Depot”
Medals and Honours: CO’s Commendation; Long Service Medal (LSM)
Pillar Location: V - 5, Row: 27, Column: A; and VII - 7
Regimental Number: #29159
Training Division: Depot
Troop Number and Year: TR.10 1971/72
Home Town: Melfort, SK
Engagement Date: Jul 01, 1971
Regimental Number: #29159
Troop Number and Year: TR. 10 1971/72