On Sunday, September 27, dozens of Manitoba’s Sherriff’s
Officers, Correctional Officers and Natural Resource Officers gathered at the
provincial legislature to honour Canadian peace officers who have fallen in the
line of duty, including one of their own, Manitoba Correctional Officer Rhonda Commodore.
“This is always such an important occasion for our peace
officers who put themselves on the line day-in and day-out,” said MGEU
President Michelle Gawronsky, “but it’s especially poignant this year because
we lost one of our sisters.”
On November
6, 2015, Rhonda Commodore died in a highway accident while on duty with The Pas
Correctional Centre. Her passing left The Pas, as well as the Manitoba
Corrections community, grief-stricken.
Manitoba Corrections sent six honour guards, and the MGEU
sent The Pas Corrections Executive, along with the Corrections Component
Director and two activists, to participate in a similar, nation-wide memorial
in Ottawa.
“Rhonda was a hardworking, well-respected Correctional Officer who left a small son behind,” Gawronsky said. “It’s only fitting that so many of her fellow officers are honouring her sacrifice today, both here at home and in the national capital.”