'A hole in the hearts of so many': Langley football club dedicates game to slain officer
The Langley Rams football club started its game Saturday with an acknowledgement of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and a tribute to Const. Rick O’Brien.
O’Brien was killed and two officers were injured while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam last Friday.
On Saturday, the football team had a moment of silence and said a few words honouring O’Brien.
Dana Matheson, president of the Langley Rams, said O’Brien had a connection to the team: He often attended community events and his wife is a board member.
“It’s important to hour Rick because he was a wonderful person. He was a supporter of the club. He came to every event that we did. He’s a community guy. He's a friend of the organization, a friend of mine, and just a wonderful human being,” Matheson said.
“Rick just had the greatest sense of humour. It was a little sarcastic and he was just a quirky guy, and just an amazing guy and this will leave a hole in the hearts of so many,” he said.
O’Brien leaves behind his wife and six children.
The game’s 50/50 proceeds -- half of a Langley Rams record $4,420 -- will be donated to his family, as a show of support.
“Obviously, with Rick gone, it is going to be a lot of pressure on her. So, whatever we can do as a community to ease that pressure, we’re going to do,” Matheson said.
A funeral is planned for Oct. 4 at the Langley Events Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.