Thousands of people gathered Tuesday to say goodbye to the Mountie who died when his police cruiser collided with a semi truck in Surrey a week ago.
The full regimental funeral for 28-year-old Adrian Oliver was held at the Langley Events Centre and was attended by thousands of uniformed officials from three different countries.
The funeral began at noon with a large march featuring RCMP members in red serge joined by other uniformed emergency workers.
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, Oliver’s girlfriend, twin brother, family and close friends spoke at the ceremony.
“Adrian, your kindness inspires me to be a better person, your goofiness reminds me to stay a kid at heart and your dedication motivates me to try my best at anything I do. You are the love of my life and I am so proud and thankful that you’re mine,” said Oliver’s girlfriend Const. Shelagh Mitchell. “The love we share is enough to fill me for a lifetime.”
Ben Oliver, Adrian’s twin, said in their 28 years as brothers they have only been apart for 12 months.
“When Adrian and I were little kids we planned to be Mounties and live across the street from each other,” Ben said. "Obviously we became Mounties and our childhood dream came full circle when six months ago I moved in next to him and Shelagh.”
Ben said Adrian had an unbelievable love for people.
“Adrian was a brother, a son, a spouse and a Mountie, but he was so many more other things than that,” Ben said. “I have lost my best friend in the entire world. Even though we were identical in every way, I looked up to him. He was my older brother… He was kinder, funnier, more considerate and more generous than me, and I strived every day to become a fraction of the man Adrian was.”
Oliver was killed while driving at the end of his shift at 5 a.m. on Nov. 13. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
