Murray Sherwin

Divisions Served: “K,” “G,”

Pillar Location: Pillar IX, Row 35, Column C

Story: 

After training, I went to Edmonton/ K Div., and stayed at Headquarters.  In May 1957 I was transferred to Leduc, Alberta.  It was a two-man detachment, and it was a good place for learning.  It was there that I learned of the Great Adventures of the Frozen North, G Div., so I applied in 1957 while I was in Leduc.  In May of 1958 I attended a Northern Familiarization course in Edmonton.

Hat River, Northwest Territories Detachment was having a great deal of trouble with bootleggers at that time, so Glen Johnson and I were selected to proceed to Hay River to work undercover in an attempt to catch the bootleggers.  So, we caught the bus, and 26 hours of dust, noisy buses, and rough buses later, we arrived at our new home, which length depended on our expertise as undercover agents. 

We were instructed to find jobs locally as a pair of local guys.  About all there was need for was fishermen as fishing season was about to start.  We patched an packed nets while living in a shack, as well as played pool, drank whiskey that the Government bought from the bootleggers, as we had to drink some to give the bootleggers the impression that we were in fact fisherman with a thirst, and weren’t ‘horsemen’ as they called us from time to time. 

After about three weeks, we had to quit out jobs, as the fishermen were about ready to hit the lake for the summer.  We went to Fort Smith and tried to catch a few more bootleggers, but out cover was blown, so it was back to the uniform.  We were thankful as we had not had a shower in 6 weeks, and the weather was tuning hot and dry.

Glen got transferred to the Yukon, and I to Fort Rae Detachment, which consisted of two constables, and was isolated, and required travel by air, water, or dog team.  Another great experience, no police work per say.  I learned how to survive from your own cooking, net fishing for your dogs, surviving very cold temperatures/blizzards, and the isolation.  The rest of the time at Fort Rae was rather normal for a Northern Detachment, but was full of experiences.

In June 1959, Elise and I were married in Camrose, Alberta, and then transferred to Drumheller City Detail.

Our two sons were born in Drumheller, and from there we went to Panoka, Alberta, on Highway Patrol, and on to the Peace River Sub. Div. Highway Patrol.  Five years later I was off to the Athabasca Detachment.  In 1977, we were transferred back to Edmonton.  In 1981, I retired and took a job with a trucking firm near Edmonton as a safety/equipment manager.  This is when we moved to our present home in Camrose.

Have had very many experiences in the Police Force, and Elsie and I looked forward to all of the ‘D’ Troop reunions.  It is so wonderful to come full circle and connect with the Members that I trained with; there is a special bond there that is never forgotten.