Thousands mourn B.C. RCMP officer Rick O'Brien at regimental funeral

The sound of drums and pipes pierced the autumn air in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday afternoon as the RCMP paidtribute to one of their own lost in the line of duty.

Thousands of officers in uniform took partin a regimental procession and funeralfor Rick O'Brien, 51, who was killed in September while executing a drug-related search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C. on Sept. 22.

Officers from around the province, including RCMP, other police services, firefighters, military and others attended the ceremony for O'Brien, who is the 10thpolice officer to be killed in Canada since September of last year.

Mourning officers marched to the Langley Event Centre for a memorial service, followingthe hearse carrying O'Brien's coffin, the RCMP pipe band and a riderless horse to symbolize a fallen member of the force.

WATCH | Mourners gather for Const. Rick O'Brien's funeral service:

Hundreds gather to remember RCMP officer killed in line of duty

11 months ago

Duration 2:21

The RCMP held a regimental funeral for Const. Rick O'Brien, a Ridge Meadows officer killed while executing a drug-related search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.

O'Brienwas a decorated constablewho recently celebrated seven years of service, having become a Mountie in 2016. He leaves behind a wife and sixchildren.

He was remembered as a fun-loving officer who cared for vulnerable members of his community, enjoyed sports including hockey and American football, and loved his wife and kids.

Family friend Stephanie Porter read an emotional tribute to Rick from his entire family, including his wife Nicole.

"Thank you for showing strength, vulnerability and demonstrating to our kids that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to go after your dreams," Nicole said in her tribute

Seating at the events centrewas reserved for family, invited guests, designated officials and uniformed first responders participating in the funeral march.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the RCMP encouraged mourners to wear red and many bystanders did as they watched the procession through the streets of Langley Wednesday afternoon.

O'Brien was born in Ottawa and joined the RCMP in 2016. All of his service was inRidge Meadows, which includes the Metro Vancouver communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team saidRidge Meadows RCMP were executing a search warrant at a home near Pinetree Way and Glen Drive in Coquitlam, a Vancouver suburb, when O'Brien was shot.

O'Briensuccumbed to his injuries at the scene after receiving treatment from first responders.

B.C.'s prosecution service hasapproved a first-degree murder chargeagainst 25-year-old Coquitlam resident Nicholas Bellemare, as well as one count of attempted murder with a firearm.

WATCH | CBC'sThe Nationalreports on murder charge in officer's death:

Murder charge laid in B.C. officers death

11 months ago

Duration 2:05

A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of B.C. RCMP Const. Rick OBrien. OBrien is the 10th officer to be killed in the line of duty in the last 12 months.

O'Brien came to the Mountiesafter a career of working with at-risk children, and was decorated early in his career for bravery after helping to rescue victims from a home invasion. It happened just eight months after he joined the detachment, after a previous career working as an education assistant in Chilliwack schools.

Supt. Wendy Mehat, the officer in charge at Ridge Meadows RCMP,said that he loved visiting schools and helping students, while calling his death senseless and heartbreaking.

His friend, Const. Dan Leclaire said O'Brien understood that he didn't require a uniform to take on the responsibility of serving his community. Another co-worker, Const. Ben Stephens, said that he spent as much time as possible volunteering at schools, youth centres, local trade shows and sporting events.

"He served his community with excellence because he cared for people. Rick's contribution and sacrifice will be felt far and wide and forever be remembered," Leclaire said.

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, who heads the B.C. RCMP, added that O'Brien excelled at finding common ground with everyone he worked with, and his sense of humour and mischievous personality made him popular with co-workers and supervisors alike.

"He spent so much of his career closing gaps," he told the funeral service. "How do we now deal with the gap left by his absence?"

Community outreach event Friday

Coquitlam RCMPhave scheduled a community outreach event on Friday for residents and businesses to ask questions about safety in their neighbourhood, following the fatal shooting of O'Brien two weeks ago.

"We understand that people have questions and concerns around community safety following serious incidents," said media relations officerCpl.Alexa Hodgins.

"This is a time for residents, community members and the public to come together, voice their concerns, ask questions and connect with resources."

The event will take place at Glen Pine Pavilion from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Resources at the event will include victim services, community police volunteers, police officers, home and personal safety information, and Block Watch information, according to police.