It is with much love and
sorrow that we announce the passing of David at the age of 81 on June 10th, 2023; he passed peacefully at home. David was born in Lamont, Alberta. After moving to Edmonton he joined the Edmonton Police Service. He was involved in many activities in retirement but most of all, enjoyed being close to his grandsons. He was a man of integrity and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sharon, his son, Kelly (Kathy), grandsons Geoffrey and Devon, sisters Bernice Markle and Gladys (Art) Mathison, sisters-in-law Patti (Ross) McKenzie, Marcella Rhein, Gail Rhein, brother-in-law Stuart Rhein, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
David has requested no formal service. A private memorial will be held for the family.
David Lawrence BROOKS joined the Edmonton Police Department on September 17th, 1962, was promoted on June 6th, 1977, and retired on November 18th, 1990.
On May 18th Nick BOK passed away after a brief battle with cancer. He was just a few weeks shy of his 70th birthday. Nick was holding the hands of his family - wife Shelley, son Garrett, daughter Shelby (EPS Crime Index) and her husband Constable Josh ADAMS. According to their decisions in advance, there will be no memorial or funeral service.
Nick became a member of the Edmonton Police Department on May 8th, 1972. He was promoted twice, achieving the rank of staff sergeant on April 3rd, 1989. He retired from policing on June 30th, 2005
We recently learned that Glenn had passed away after suffering cardiac arrest on December 19th, 2021. Glenn was predeceased by his wife Jane who passed away in 2020 after fighting cancer. Barry and Jane are survived by their son and daughter.
Glenn joined the Edmonton Police Department on March 9th, 1970. He was promoted on June 14th, 1984 and retired from policing on March 7th, 2002.
PASSING OF A SERVING EPS MEMBER:
Corrine Kline Reg. No. 2267
It is with profound sadness, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) announces the passing of Constable Corinne Kline. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time. We will miss her dearly. (EPS on Twitter)
Corinne Kline passed away unexpectedly on March 21, 2023, leaving behind her beloved husband Brad (also an EPS member) and her children, who she loved beyond words could ever express, Brock (16), Lizzy (14) and Becky (11). Corinne’s family, her parents, Deb and Cliff, her sweet furry companion, Lucy, countless friends, colleagues, and numerous acquaintances within the community will forever miss Corinne’s vibrant, kind-hearted, caring and supportive personality. Her positivity was contagious and people always gravitated toward her. She was a ray of sunshine that could light up any room.
Corinne was deeply devoted to her family first and foremost, her friendships, and her career as a Police Officer. She was a sworn member of the Edmonton Police Service for over 22 years and the connections she made within EPS and the community were endless.
Corinne left our world too soon. She was destined to touch the lives of so many more people, both personally and professionally. Corinne’s memory and legacy will live on through all those who were blessed to love her, and lucky to know her. (From GoFundMe internet entry https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-honour-of-corrine)
Constable Brett RYAN and his partner Travis JORDAN were on duty together and were murdered by gunfire when responding to a Domestic Violence type call on March 16th, 2023.
Constable JORDAN was a 5-year member. He joined the Edmonton Police Service as a member of Recruit Training Class 141.
The murder of these officers was widely reported in the media.
Information from the Regimental Funeral for Brett and Travis was shared in the April 2023 edition of the EPS Veterans’ Association newsletter.
** See April 2023 edition of The Call Box **
Constable Travis JORDAN and his partner Brett RYAN were on duty together and were murdered by gunfire when responding to a Domestic Violence type call on March 16th, 2023.
Constable JORDAN was an 8 1/2-year member. He joined the Edmonton Police Service as a member of Recruit Training Class 132.
The murder of these officers was widely reported in the media.
Information from the Regimental Funeral for Travis and Brett was shared in the April 2023 edition of the EPS Veterans’ Association newsletter.
** See April 2023 edition of The Call Box **
PASSING OF A RETIRED EPS MEMBER
Barry Warren BECHTOLD Reg. No. 327
Barry Warren Bechthold of Boyle, Alberta passed away Friday, March 10th, 2023 at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness.
Barry was born in Calgary, Alberta on September 10, 1943, to Lydia and Martin Bechthold. He was raised in the Beiseker area in his younger years until his family moved to Strathmore where he later met the girl he would marry in 1966, Patricia Taylor. Barry and ‘Tricia moved to the Edmonton area where Barry spent 26 years with the Edmonton Police Department. They had three children, Jennifer Lynn, Thomas Warren (Inspector, EPS Northeast Br.) and William Joseph. In 1990, Barry retired from the Department and they moved to Boyle, Alberta where they raised cattle and Registered Quarter Horses, eventually establishing a very successful breeding program. Barry loved going into Boyle in the morning for coffee and meeting up with other area farmers where they would discuss endless topics for endless hours.
His declining health began in 2017 when, taking a round bale of hay to his horses just north of his home, he was rear-ended in his tractor on Hwy 63 by a semi-trailer truck.
Barry is survived by his wife, ‘Tricia, of 56 years, sons Tom (Gina) and Bill (Rose) and daughter Jennifer (Dale); grandchildren Dallan, Kieran, Jade, Colby, Liam, Paige, Iris and Cassie; siblings Dave (Mary), Bonnie, Rose, Charles and Jim (Patricia), and numerous nieces and nephews.
As per his wishes, there will be a private memorial service at a later date.
The family would like to thank the doctors, AHS staff and caregivers, as well as all the other staff at the Wildrose Villa Assisted Living for their wonderful care of Barry in the last months of his life.
Barry Bechtold joined the Edmonton Police Department on March 22nd, 1965. He was promoted in 1980 and retired from the service on September 30th, 1990.
NOTE: Career information on retired members is presently limited due to an issue with the EPS archive retrieval system.
PASSING OF A SERVING MEMBER
Patrick George HANNAS Reg. No. 2174 April 13, 1968 - March 5, 2023
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Reg. #2174 Constable Patrick Hannas. Patrick was off duty when he suffered a medical emergency on Sunday, March 5th.
Patrick George Hannas was born in Edmonton on April 13, 1968, to Margaret and Nicholas Hannas. He is survived by his wife Elina, his mother Margaret, his brother Greg, sisters Patricia and Mary Anne, and nephews Benjamin, Kylo, and Ilya.
Pat dedicated so much of his life to serving in Edmonton, the city he loved so much. He was an active member of the Edmonton Police Service and always found joy in serving his community and helping his friends. Pat loved to play in Edmonton; enjoying the river valley, and seeking out cool experiences and restaurants.
Pat married the love of his life Elina and together with their two pugs, “the boys” Bret and Jemaine, they lived each day to the fullest. He died on March 5, 2023, doing what he loved, helping people. The impact Pat had on so many lives will live on…
A Celebration of Life for Patrick was held on March 18th at Gateway Alliance Church, Edmonton.
“Of my friend I can only say this: Of all the souls I’ve encountered in my travels, he was the most…human.” Captain Kirk, Spock’s Funeral, Star Trek II
Patrick joined the Edmonton Police Service in 1999 as a member of Recruit Training Class #94. He worked in South Division Patrol, Whyte Avenue Beats, Spousal Violence, Child Protection, School Resource Officer Unit, and Source Management/Crime Stoppers.
January 19th,
1961 - November 26th, 2022
Our much loved Karl Richard Kaesmodel, a resident of Kelowna, BC, passed away at home on November 26, 2022. Karl was 61. Karl was born on January 19, 1961, in Sudbury, Ontario to Beverly (née Zadow) and Richard “Dick” Kaesmodel. Karl spent his early childhood in Sudbury until 1971, when his family moved across Canada and landed in Kelowna.
Karl embraced the Kelowna lifestyle and enjoyed many sports: tennis, waterskiing, hockey, skiing, and football. After graduating from Kelowna Secondary School in 1979, he was
accepted into the Edmonton Police Service and began his career as a Police Constable in 1981, (Recruit Training Class 61).
In Edmonton, at the police college, Karl found his passion for running and fitness, he did numerous marathons and successfully completed the Penticton Ironman in 1981. Karl loved being a policeman and had many different roles within the service: he worked in traffic (he loved writing tickets on his Harley); resource officer in the schools (helped coach cross-country running); and in Parks on his bicycle and cruising the N. Saskatchewan River in the police boat, to name a few. In Edmonton, he met lifelong friends whom he treasured.
Karl married Heidi Hoeschle in 1991 and welcomed his cherished daughter Ainsley in 2001. Karl retired after 26 years from the Edmonton Police Service in 2006 and moved his family to Kelowna and started a second career with the City of Kelowna in 2007. Here again, he met many wonderful new friends. Karl enjoyed being back in Kelowna near family and friends. Anyone who knew Karl would know he loved to be active, whether it was skiing down “Paradise”, cycling around the lake, or enjoying a round of golf then finishing up with an awesome IPA!
“Shadows are fallin’ and I’m runnin’ out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while” -Warren
Zevon
Karl was preceded in death by his parents Bev and Dick Kaesmodel.
Karl is survived by his wife of 31years, Heidi; daughter Ainsley; sister Kathy Lockwood (Dave) of Calgary; brother Kurtis Kaesmodel and nephews Kristofer and Kory of Prince George; father-in-law Kurt Hoeschle (Lynne), brother-in-law Rick Hoeschle (Karen), brother-in-law Doug Hoeschle, niece Amanda McLaughlin (Shea) & baby Nora, all of Kelowna; and nephew Parker Haralds (Megan) of Victoria
The family will have a small gathering to celebrate Karl’s life.
Our family would like to sincerely thank Dr E. Solano, Dr K. Clarke, and everyone at BC Cancer Clinic in Kelowna. The Palliative Nurse team, Dr. J Ali, Nurse Mo, and especially Dr. W. Wickstrom for her amazing care and guidance.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BC Cancer, KGH Foundation, and the Okanagan Rail Trail.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please go to this link: http://www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/kaesmodel-karl-r/
Karl Kaesmodel began his service with EPS on January 5th, 1981. During his carrer Karl was assigned to South and North Division Patrol, Parks Unit, Traffic Selective Enforcement Unit and Operations Unit. Karl’s retirement date was September 30th, 2006.