It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leslie Joseph Scheelar on August 2, 2019 at the age of 74 years. Les will be dearly missed by his wife of 52 years, Loretta and children, Leslie Ross (Christine), Jeff (Tara), Robin (Jon), David and Ryan (Rebecca); as well as nine grandchildren. A prayer service was held on Wednesday, August 7 and a Mass of Christian burial took place on Thursday, August 8 officiated by Father Glenn McDonald. Both services will be held at St. Clare's Catholic Church at 6310-118 Avenue, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Clare Catholic Parish. To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com. Published on August 6, 2019
Les Sxcheelar joined the Edmonton Police Department on September 13th, 1965 as a member of recruit Training Class # 22. After a couple of years in Patrol Division, Les embarked on a series of transfers through Gaol Section, Court and Summons Section, Traffic Court, Case Supervisors’ Unit and Crime Prevention Unit. He did make it back to Patrol a couple of times but he’d been in Arrest Approval Section for about 6 months when he was promoted to Sergeant in Crime Prevention Unit when he was promoted in 1981. In the rank of Sergeant or Detective Les also had assignments in Multi-Cultural Relations Unit, Fraud & Commercial Crimes Unit, “A” and “B” Divisions. His last six years were spent back in Fraud & Commercial Crimes Unit leading to his retirement on April 11th, 1997.
SAUNDERS, Jack “Wayne” January 20th, 1948 – July 14th, 2019
SAUNDERS, Jack Wayne January 20th, 1948 – July 14th, 2019
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Wayne Saunders after a battle with cancer. Following Wayne’s wishes, creamation has taken place and Wayne’s family and close friends held a private gathering to mark his passing on July 19th. Wayne’s brother and fellow EPSVA member,Dan Saunders, provided the eulogy. Should people wish to make a donation in Wayne's name, his family suggest the Cross Cancer Clinic or the Red Cross.
Wayne Saunders started his policing career in Edmonton as a member of Recruit Training Class 32. His first ten years was spent in Patrol Division with a couple of detours through Gaol Section and later to Training Section. He was promoted to detective in CIS “C” Division in 1980. A year later, Wayne transferred to Crisis Intervention/Child Abuse Unit for about four years. A change of rank to sergeant in 1985 saw Wayne move to “A” Division. He must have preferred “C” Division as he moved back there after two years and stayed south until his retirement on March 9th, 2006. Post-retirement, from 2013 through 2016, Wayne joined some of his old cohorts as a part-time complaint evaluator in Communications Section.
A photograph of Wayne (centre) among friends at the October 2017 EPSVA luncheon:
L-R: Wayne Rhyason, Al Bohachyk, Dale Johnson, Frans Van Ooyen, Chris Witzke, Kim Woolgar, Sharon Bach, Bert Jager, Mike Phillips, Clay Sach, Wayne Saunders, Rob Parry (former member of RTC 26), Barb Bohachyk, John Rutledge, Gary Jones, Don McDonald, Ray Smith.
It's with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our friend Barry Benson after a brief battle with cancer. Barry's wife, Pauline was with him at the end. Barry retired in 1989 and his Reg. No. is 269. When the information was received there no immediate plans for a memorial service for Barry. ** No obituary was located **
Barry Benson started out as a member of Recruit Training Class # 18 on September 9th, 1963. After a few years in Patrol, Barry transferred to Identification Section and Crime Scenes/Criminal History Units. In 1973, he moved to Research & Development Unit and later to Planning Section and then Operations Analysis Section. !976 saw Barry move back to Patrol for a couple of years leading to his promotion to Detective in Morality Control Unit in 1978. Nearly 8 years later, he transferred back to Patrol as a Sergeant in “B” Division where he remained until his retirement on October 19th, 1989.
We were advised that Ray Crellin passed away on May 13th, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. He was 78 years of age. He is survived by his wife Sharron. No obituary information was located.
Ray Crellin got his start with the Edmonton Police Department on May 18th, 1968 as a member of Recruit Traing Class 27. After about 7 years in Patrol Division, he transferred to Gaol Section and over the next few years alternated between Patrol Division, Warrant & Document Service, Information & Reception Unit and Communications Division. Ray spent the last 16 years of his career in Patrol Division until his retirement on January 14th, 1996.
It's with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of EPSVA member James (Jim) Henry KIRK after a battle with cancer. Jim retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1990 and his Reg. No. is 112. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen. His obituary is below and has no information on a funeral or service and it appears there may not be one.
James Henry Kirk Obituary - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of James Henry Kirk (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta), who passed away on May 1, 2019, at the age of 86, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on his memorial page and share them with the family.
Jim Kirk joined the Edmonton Police Department on August 15th, 1955. After about 4 years on the Beat, Jim spent a few months in Court & Summons Section and then a year in Gaol Section. After serving that sentence, it was back to Patrol for a few months before being transferred to C.I.D. as a Detective Constable in 1962. Jim then moved to Morality Section and must’ve figured that job out as they promoted him to Detective within the unit in 1967. Other assignments as a Detective and Sergeant followed in Crimes Against Persons Unit and , Crimes Against Property Unit before his promotion to Staff Sergeant in “D” Division in 1981. He transferred to Drug Control Unit in 1986 followed by moves to C.I.S. “D” Division and Court Liaison Section leading up to his retirement on March 11th, 1990.
Richard (Dick) Francis SHANTZ - June 29, 1948 - April 9, 2019 - Reg. No. 1 (and 465)
It is with great sadness that we advise, Richard Shantz, known to his friends and family as Dick or Dickie, died at the young age of 70, after a courageous battle with ALS. Dick was born in Edmonton on June 29, 1948 to Thora and Richard Shantz. Prior to Dick’s birth, Thora and Richard’s first son, Harvey, died at the age of 2. Dick grew up in Calgary before moving to Edmonton whereupon he joined the Edmonton Police Service at the age of 20. Dick’s parents passed away many years ago and he surrounded himself with very close friends and his brothers and sisters in blue. Dick was a cop’s cop, who truly bled EPS blue, serving the citizens of Edmonton for nearly 40 years. Upon retiring, Dick met Rita and the two of them moved to Vancouver Island, where they married. Dick enjoyed and valued his time with Rita’s children and grandchildren. Dick was a proud man who was admired and respected by family and friends. Dick fought to the end and he will be greatly missed by many.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Edmonton Police Foundation - Veterans Assistance Program. A service was held on April 25th Sherwood Park.
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L & middle: Dick's EPS file photo's. R: Dick's EPS file photo, L: from Dick's LinkedIn entry
Dick Shantz got his start at the Edmonton Police Department as a pre-hire in Central registry on August 21st, 1967. He became a member of recruit Training Class #27 on March 18th the following year. As a constable, Dick alternated between Patrol and Traffic, Special Operations Division and Communications Division. He was promoted to detective in Division “D” in 1980. After nearly a year as a detctive, Dick transferred to Tactical Team Unit as a sergeant for over two years before heading to Break & Enter Detail in Division “B” and then on to Strike Force Unit. Promotion to sStaff sergeant in Division “D” came in 1990. Subsequent assignments as a staff sergeant included Armed Robbery Unit, and stints in all four Patrol Divisions leading to his retirement on June 26th, 2006. Dick’s Reg. No. was 465 but for a time prior to retirement he was accorded the privilege of wearing badge No. 1 as he was the most senior member.
Dick returned to the service for about a year and a half as a part-time file manager in Recruit Selection Unit in 2008.
James (Jim) Gordon SHEPHERD, Reg. No. 345
It is with great sadness that the family of James (Jim) Gordon Shepherd announces his passing after a brief illness, on Friday, March 29th at the age of 74 years. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Judy; his children: Cindy (Michael), and Cassandra; as well as his sisters: Margaret, Carol, Lynne and brother, R ay (Karen). Jim will also be fondly remembered by his four grandchildren: Dakota, Matthew, Ethan and Katelyn; as well as countless family members and friends who called him Uncle/Grandpa Jim.
Jim was born and raised in Edmonton. He was proud to be a part of the September 1965 graduating class of the Edmonton Police Services, where he served for 32 years before joining Strathcona County as a Peace Officer for an additional 18 culminating in 50 years of service in October 2018. Jim was also known for his love of basketball, fishing, cards, spending time with his family and riding his motorcycle with the Edmonton Metro Chapter of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.
A Celebration of his Life was held on Sunday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Connelly-McKinley Southside, 4820 Meridian Street, followed by a light lunch and reception on site. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation at royalalex.org
Jim Shepherd got his start with the Edmonton Police Department on September 13th, 1965 as a member of recruit Training Class 22. After two years in Patrol, Jim moved to Gaol Section for a year and then into Traffic Section in 1969. Over the next ten years he tried various areas in Traffic leading to his promotion in 1979 when he transferred out to Patrol Zone “B”. Moves to Information & Reception Unit, Patrol “D” Division and a short stint back as a Detective in CIS “B” Division followed. After that it was back to Traffic to check out Selective Enforcement Detail and Expert Collision Investigation Detail. In 1989, Jim moved back as a detective to CIS “D” Division for a year before going back to Traffic Flow Detail where he remained until he retired on April 11th, 1997.
As is indicated in Jim’s obituary notice above, ever the Traffic man, Jim signed on with Strathcona County for another 18 years of service as a Peace Officer.
KOROLUK, Peter Peacefully on March 14, 2019, Peter passed away surrounded by family at Extendicare Holyrood. He was predeceased by his parents, Wasyl and Jennie; and brothers, Anton and John. Peter will be lovingly remembered by his wife Mary; son Eric (Linda), daughter Susan (Chris); brother William; sister Helen; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Peter was a police officer with the Edmonton Police Service, retiring after over 30 years of service. Outside of work Peter had a variety of interests. Over the years he enjoyed both farming and gardening on his much-loved acreage. He spent many hours volunteering with the Red Cross and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation; and was a very active member of Toastmasters. Peter also enjoyed golfing, senior's slo-pitch, his 72 GMC pick-up and working on restoring his 56 Chev.
A visitation and Memorial service was held on March 21st at Sherwood Park followed by interment and a reception. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Extendicare Holyrood for their compassion and care of Peter over the past three and a half years; and to Dr. Hastings for the comfort provided to him in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Cross, the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, Parkinson Canada, or a charity of one's choice. Published on March 19, 2019
A young Peter Koroluk joined the Edmonton Police Department on April 2nd, 1956. Peter’s career history shows that he went directly to Patrol Division and doesn’t indicate a Recruit Class for him though, based on other records we’ve seen, Peter likely was included in one of the first training classes. Over the next 11 years, Peter also did short stints in Traffic Division and Court & Summons Section. He was promoted to Patrol Segeant in 1967 and changed rank to Detective in 1974 (assignment not indicated). In 1979, Peter transferred to Second Hand Stores Detail and retired from that assignment on April 8th, 1988.
A member recalls Peter helped start his career: Dennis Henschel was one of the folks who sent me the sad news of Peter’s passing. He also added this note: “ … As a matter of interest, it was in July 1964, Peter and May were living on a 40-acres, 1 mile from our farm when Peter approached my father about combining the grain crop - which we did for several years. At that time, Peter mentioned to me that the City Police were recruiting. As a result, I quickly submitted my application and subsequently was in class #20 on the 14 September 1964.”
Keith Duncan Miller passed away peacefully on February 5th, 2019 in Edmonton after a long, well-lived life. Keith is survived by his son Dean and daughter Sheena (Pat) and grandchildren Nathan, Michael, Aiden, Sydney and Spencer. He was predeceased by his loving wife Mary in 2001. He is survived by his brother Don as well as numerous friends, fellow law enforcement colleagues and family.
Keith was raised in Calgary, AB and moved to Daysland after his father passed away in 1943. He was a gifted baseball player and artist. Keith joined the City of Edmonton Police Department in 1955 and was in recruitment class #1. Keith was always so proud of his career and lived his life with a high ethical standard. “Once a cop, always a cop” was Keith’s motto and it was well known that he would step in and take action when needed. Most of all he was a wonderful Dad and Grandpa. He was a people person and always had a story to tell.
A celebration of Keith’s life was held on February 12th, 2019 at Edmonton.
The Miller family wishes to express their appreciation to the Unit 5E-3 staff at the University of Alberta Hospital and to Ron, his roommate, for looking out for Keith. Memorial donations may be made to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, 11230- 83rd Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB. Please sign your organ donor card.
Keith Miller joined the Edmonton Police Force on March 21st, 1955. Although the record shows that he was placed immediately into Patrol Division it also references that at some point he was assigned to Recruit Training Class #1. During his 11 years in Patrol, Keith did a short stint in Communications. As a Constable, he also worked Court & Summons section, Criminal Court Orderlies Unit and Court Section. In 1973, Keith became an Acting Detective in Morality Control Unit and in early 1974, Acting Sergeant in Patrol Division. Keith remained in the rank of Sergeant for the balance of his career with assignments in Patrol Division “C”, Information & Reception Unit and finally Patrol Division “D”. When he retired on August 23rd, 1985 Keith’s final Reg. No. was 96.