Ronald Russell

Divisions Served: “E,” “F,” “D,” “Depot”

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal, Canada 125 Medal, Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Good Conduct Medal.

Pillar Location:  Pillar VII, Row 20, Column E

Story: 

I grew up in the two-elevator town of Medora in southwest Manitoba. Being a Mountie had been a dream of mine since I was 16 years old. It first began when an officer stopped by our baseball game one summer evening and actually talked to “me”. And from that day on, I was hooked! There was something about that Mountie in the blue police car with the buffalo head on the white door that made small communities like mine feel safer. Although I tried joining the Force right out of high school, it ended up taking me four applications and 14 more years to finally be accepted. There was no downside though.

The recruiter had suggested I go to college and reapply later, and that’s just what I did. After attending College in Bottineau, North Dakota and then Utah State University, I went on to enjoy a career as a wildlife biologist for the next decade.

However, my biology career ended one day after my fourth application when the Mounties finally called. So I traded in my chest waders for the training I needed to finally wear a Stetson.

During my next six months at Depot, I quickly discovered that while saving the environment was a very worthwhile cause, counting ducks and paddling canoes had done little for my fitness level. I went on to eventually enjoy training but graduated some 20 pounds lighter and fitter than when I had begun.

Like every Mountie before me, graduation day was an extremely proud day for our entire family! My first posting was to Nanaimo BC on Vancouver Island where I spent half of my career. While there, I worked in a variety of sections including General Duty, Property Crimes, Community Policing, and Bike Patrol. I then transferred to Depot at Regina, SK and worked as a Police Sciences Facilitator and a Drill Instructor.

Additional transfers included postings to Fort St. James and Whistler BC, and Wynyard SK before working at the NWR Performance Centre in Regina as a Leadership Trainer. In 2012 I was Commissioned and served in Portage la Prairie MB and Surrey BC Headquarters before retiring. In total, I served 28 years at eight postings in four divisions (“E”, “F”, “D”, and Depot).

Throughout my career, I was heavily involved with crowd control units in several provinces. Despite many deployments, I will always remember protesters throwing firebombs at our troops at a major protest in Quebec. That was unexpected.

I have been fortunate enough to have been formally recognized several times during my career. Two of the more meaningful recognitions for me included the Terry Ryan Memorial Regional Award for Excellence in Policing (Prairie Provinces), and the Jim Rainville Regional Award for Excellence in Public Order (Prairie Provinces).

Early in my career I was unexpectedly told one day that I was being transferred to work in a specialty section with irregular hours that might interrupt our family life. I was pulled aside by an old-school Sergeant who asked me what I thought of the sudden transfer. Although I was flattered, I told him I wasn’t sure yet cause I hadn’t discussed it with my wife. He kinda growled when he said, “Good grief Russell, the Force hired you – not your wife.” “Then in that case” I replied, ”I’m thrilled!” However, I will say that the support of my wife, Sherri, and my two daughters was critical to enjoying every posting I ever worked at (though some were certainly easier to enjoy than others 🙂

One of the absolute highlights of my career was being able to present my daughter, Amron, with her badge when she went on to later join the Force.

As I look back to when I first became a police officer, I remember thinking that what I would learn about other people would be interesting. By the end of my career however, I realized that the most fascinating part of it all was what I had learned about myself.

I think most Mounties would agree with that.