Richard Gerald Wychreschuk

Divisions Served: “F,” North West Region

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal and Clasps for 45 Years, Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Saskatchewan Long Service Medal, Kaiser Foundation Award for Excellence

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Story: 

Reg.# 26858, S/Sgt. Richard Gerald Wychreschuk, rtd.

Rick was born Sep 18, 1946 at St. Boniface, Manitoba and raised on the family farm at Dencross, Manitoba; a mixed farming community approximately 75 kms. north east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. His formal education started at Mars S.D., a one room country school where he attended grades 1-8. He went on to attend Brokenhead High School for grade nine and then completed his high school at the Beausejour Collegiate Institute in 1963. Rick then completed the one-year Manitoba Teachers College and started his teaching career in 1965 at Woodridge Manitoba. After one year, he moved to Whitemouth, Manitoba where he taught grade six for two years. It was here, in Whitemouth, he connected with Cpl. Al Hayden-Luck and took an interest in the Force. His application turned out to be a long and complicated process because of some distant relatives who still resided in the Ukraine, a part of the USSR at the time. Nonetheless, he met all the requirements and was sworn into the RCMP at “D” Division HQ in Winnipeg on September 16, 1968.
Rick was assigned to Troop 14 and at age 23 he was the second oldest recruit in his troop. The first three months of training were completed at “Depot” Division in Regina followed by three months at “P” Division, Penhold, Alberta. Upon successful completion of training he was transferred to Saskatoon Detachment on April 22, 1969. Like so many recruits before him, his first duties comprised of prisoner escorts, typing “accident” reports, night office duty, and of course, the first autopsy. No investigative need to attend, but a rite of passage for the new recruits.

Nine months later, January 12, 1970, Rick was transferred to Rosetown Detachment. It was here he met his future wife, Helena Dorotkiewicz. With the announcement of a marriage to a local person, Rick was transferred to Craik Detachment on June 1, 1971. He and Helena were married on September 4, 1971. Their three children; Dustin, Kristin and Corleen, were born during their seven and one-half year posting at Craik.

December 1, 1978 Rick and family were transferred to Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask. where he worked the rural area until their transfer to Regina on October 14, 1980. Rick remained in Regina until his retirement on July 07, 2016. During his time in Regina, Rick worked at Regina detachment, National Criminal Intelligence Section, National Security Enforcement Unit, Division Criminal Operations readers, Community Services (media relations officer), North West Region Audit and Review Services, Member Employee Assistance Program (M/EAP), and finally Operations Strategy Branch.

In 1988 Rick accepted a one year paid educational leave at the University of Regina. During his time at Division Criminal Operations, Rick was very involved with and then managed the Division Search & Rescue program. At the time of his retirement, Rick had completed 47 years 254 days of service as a regular member. He continued working for the RCMP on contract until January 01, 2018.

In addition to receiving his Long Service Medal and subsequent clasps for up to 45 years service, he was awarded medals for the Canada 125 Anniversary, Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Saskatchewan Law Enforcement Service Medal. In 2011, Rick was the first member of the RCMP to receive the Kaiser Foundation National Award for Excellence in recognition of his leadership with M/EAP.

As a serving member and into his retirement, Rick was very active in his community. He coached community level hockey, baseball, soccer and football. He also volunteered at major sporting events including the Brier, Scotties, Roar of the Rings and the Women’s CP Canadian Open. Rick was a volunteer host with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 25 years. As well, he volunteered at other major events such as the Canadian Western Agribition and Farm Expo. His most recent focus was volunteering as a Patient/Family Advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the Pasqua Hospital assisting with the introduction of the Accountable Care Units.

Rick and Helena are enjoying retirement living in Regina close to their daughters Kristin, Corleen and her husband Kevin. Dustin, his wife Jennyfer and their grandson William live in Calgary.