Ceremony Celebrates Kelowna RCMP Officer Who Gave His Life for a Young Woman

RCMP officers at the cairn honouring Cst. Neil Bruce's sacrifice. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Tuesday marked 50 years since Constable Neil Bruce of the Kelowna RCMP died trying to save a young woman who was being sexually assaulted.

The tragic story and Cst. Bruce’s heroism was remembered Tuesday during a ceremony at the cairn in Glen Canyon Park. The cairn, put up for a previous memorial, is on the way down to the ravine where Cst. Bruce was shot trying to negotiate the release of a 16-year-old woman being forcibly confined and sexually assaulted in a cabin.

Four days later, the 26-year-old Cst. Bruce died of his injuries, leaving behind a young wife and two children under the age of two.

The ceremonial procession for the 50th anniversary of Cst. Neil Bruce's tragic death. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

The ceremony brought out many current and former RCMP members, as well as Cst. Bruce’s widow and two children. Many travelled significant distances to honour Cst. Bruce’s sacrifice. Students from Constable Neil Bruce Middle School were also in attendance, having hiked the ravine that Cst. Bruce did that day. In 2000, the time it was named, the middle school was the only school named after a police officer in North America.

Cst. Bruce’s son is now an RCMP Superintendent in Ottawa, having followed his father’s footsteps, and his family’s legacy of service. Superintendent Donald Bruce-Fuoco’s grandfather was one of the first to sign up for both the First and Second World Wars, and his father sacrificed his life in the line of duty. Serving now in the RCMP is continuing that legacy, particularly that of his father’s. “One of my passions was to finish what my dad couldn’t,” said Supt. Bruce-Fuoco.

Cst. Neil Bruce's son, Supt Bruce-Fuoco. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

He talked particularly to the retired members of the RCMP who were active in the manhunt for his father’s killer. “Our family can never thank you enough for what you did,” said Supt. Bruce Fuoco. “You, as is my dad, are my heroes.”

Cst. Bruce’s close friend and RCMP partner Staff Sergeant Jack Hest was also in attendance. Sgt. Hest has been extremely active in keep Cst. Bruce’s memory alive. The tragedy is particularly poignant for Sgt. Hest, since Cst. Bruce had asked him to work for him that day but forgot to make arrangements. “It could’ve been me down there,” said Sgt. Hest. “It would have been me.” He’s now proud of Supt. Bruce Fuoco and has followed his career in the RCMP.

Cst. Bruce’s family was all in attendance, and his wife, Supt. Bruce Fuoco, and his daughter laid flowers at the cairn.

“This is a moving and just tribute to a young member killed while doing the right thing,” said Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens. “Despite the passage of half a century, Neil is still remembered.”

Cst. Neil Bruce. (Photo Credit: RCMP Handout)

Supt Bruce-Fuoco escorting his mother, Cst. Neil Bruce's widow, at the end of the ceremony. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)