The Town of Indian Head held a grand opening for a park named after an RCMP officer.
The Constable Shelby Patton Memorial Park was unveiled Saturday afternoon before a large crowd of residents and dignitaries. Among the dignitaries were Lieutenant Governor Russ Miratsy, Regina-Qu’Appelle Conservative MP Andrew Scheer, Indian Head-Milestone MLA Don McMorris, Indian Head Mayor Steven Cole, and Commanding Officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP Rhonda Blackmore.
It was named in memoriam of Patton, who was killed while on-duty on June 12, 2021, while responding to a report of a stolen vehicle in Wolseley.
Featured is a red maple leaf on the pavement entering the park, along with a “Cst. Shelby Patton Memorial Park” sign and a monument honouring Patton. There is playground equipment as well as exercise equipment at the park – both of which RCMP Inspector, and member of The Shelby Patton Memorial Park Development Committee, Devin Pugh said embodies what Patton was as a person.
“Shelby Patton in life was extremely dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, to fitness, and loved children,” said Pugh. “When we were developing the park, it was a no-brainer to include work-out equipment in the park along a running trail and also a play-structure for children, so it really does embody what he lived in life and he would be incredibly proud of the park if he was still alive.”
Puth was the Commanding Officer of the Indian Head RCMP when Patton joined the Detachment in February 2015.
“Shelby was an extraordinary member, ” Pugh recalled. “It’s been said many times, he was very dedicated to his service. He was a very smart, articulate individual and had a great work ethic and is one of those members that you leaned upon everyday.”
The ceremony started with a parade of uniformed RCMP members accompanied by the Regina RCMP Pipe and Drum Band, from the Indian Head RCMP Detachment to the park dedication (pictured below).
Dignitary speeches followed, and one of those to speak was Ashley Patton, Shelby’s father.
“We’d like to thank the Town of Indian Head for this lot, I mean, without them donating this, this wouldn’t have been possible; the people of Indian Head and of Saskatchewan who came together to create such a wonderful tribute to Shelby. Through their hard work, dedication and their generosity, this place is something that Shelby himself would be very proud of. Thank you.” he said.
The grand opening was the latest in a process that began not long after Patton’s death. MacKenzie Craigie, Facility Operations Manager for the Town of Indian Head and a member of the Development Committee, said a small group of people approached the Town around the end of July last year with a request to utilize the green space on the corner of Eberts and Water Street, where the park is now. The following month, in August 2021, the committee announced a fundraising goal of $150-thousand for the development of the park.
“It was overwhelming,” Craigie said of the donations that came in since the fundraising announcement. “There was donors, not only locally, but across the province.” She also said a few RCMP members set up fundraisers that reached other members across Canada. By December 2021, the committee had surpassed the fundraising goal but donations continued to come in and to date, over $225-thousand has been raised.
Support for the project wasn’t just limited to monetary donations, according to Craigie.
“I have a folder full of letters at work from people saying like ‘Thank you for doing this for him’, ‘I have a family member who is a (RCMP) member’ and ‘This is amazing’ and ‘We’re so sorry for your loss’, just things like that” she added.
“This project has been a remarkable example of community spirit and what it can accomplish,” Indian Head Mayor Steven Cole told the crowd during his remarks. “However, we must always remember the reason we are here and events that have led us to this day. The Constable Shelby Patton Memorial Park will serve as a daily reminder of Shelby, his generosity, his friendliness, and the ultimate sacrifice he gave for his community.
It is also a reminder of all the men and women who serve our communities everyday so we may live in safer place. They deserve our upmost respect and we are tremendously grateful.
We welcome and encourage everyone to visit the park, enjoy the space, and take a moment to give thanks to those who protect us.”