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CPVA NEWS ● 2019 December

CALGARY POLICE VETERANS ASSOCIATION

Winter 2019 ● Volume 28, Issue 3

INSIDE

“Thanks for remem-

bering me”: A final

farewell to an artist ex-

traordinaire

PAGE 8

A baritone singer’s

distinguished police

career

PAGE 10

“Deck the halls with

boughs of holly:”

images of CPVA’s

Dec. 6th Christmas

Party

PAGE 15

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CPVA NEWS ● 2019 December 2

Vice President’s Message ● Bill Sturgeon

CALGARY POLICE VETERANS

ASSOCIATION

3730 Westwinds Drive NE

Calgary, Alberta T3J 5H3

Tel. 403.269.2466

General Enquiries:

[email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Mike Turcotte Vice President Bill Sturgeon Secretary/Treasurer Doug van den Brink Past President Jeff Massicotte Directors Mike Bertin Rod Embree George Gourdinne Marty Fulkerth Jim Hegan Bill McMillan Susanne Tarrant The CPVA NEWS is published by the CPVA. Editor: Jon Netelenbos EMAIL CONTACT: [email protected]

The CPVA NEWS reserves the right to edit submissions. The views and opinions ex-pressed in this publication are those of the contributors and do not necessarily re-flect the official position of the CPVA.

FRONT COVER Neither hail, sleet or snow deterred the 1960 beat offic-ers from reporting-in hourly on the police callbox. Artist: Don Brestler.

December 2019

T here I was, enjoying a fine single

malt, feeling at peace with the world

on a beautiful sunny afternoon (yes,

I was drinking in the afternoon,

(don’t judge me, I’m retired) when my cell

phone rang. “Mike Turcotte” was displayed

on the screen. There are times when I see

that display I get the same feeling I had

whilst diligently patrolling and protecting the

denizens of Bravo 3 in the late 1970’s and

dispatch called my call sign saying those

three words that signaled how my day was

about to change: “Phone Sam Meikle.”

Being a trained investigator, I knew some-

thing was afoot when Mike was not only

nice to me, he was uber nice (Spidey sens-

es tingling). He talked about our CPVA

newsletter and the excellent job Jon

Netelenbos does to gather and edit the sub-

missions and produce a most professional

newsletter. Mike then said words I never

thought I’d ever hear; “Bill, I’ve run out of

things to say.” I immediately thought of our

monthly luncheons and the sliver tongued,

smooth talking M. C. I was gob smacked,

who was this imposter pretending to be our

President? The president has the unenviable

task of authoring a meaningful message for

each newsletter, it’s not easy. He asked me

to write a message from the V P for the win-

ter edition.

This year is the 40th anniversary of our As-

sociation, quite the milestone. We’ve grown

from 11 to 883 members (as of October

31st). Some of the early get-togethers were

in a MacDonald’s restaurant. We’ve held our

lunches, barbeques and Christmas meals in

Royal Canadian Legions before coming

home to the Cuff and Billy Club. The CPVA

has grown due in large part to members

who have given their time by serving on the

Board of Directors. Many of those folks

served for several years in one or more ca-

pacities and worked hard to make us what

we are today. This year, Syd Sutherland and

Mike Blackwell decided to take a break and

stepped down from the Board. Marty Fulk-

erth, Mike Bertin and Susanne Tarrant are

our new Board members; Susanne is the

first woman to be appointed to the Board.

Our future looks bright. We now have the

Benevolent Fund to which several generous

members make monthly credit card dona-

tions. and when our dues increase next

year, two dollars from them will go to the

fund. We soon will have a small Ceremonial

Unit to represent the CPVA at a variety of

events. We have a steady stream of appli-

cations from CPS comrades who retired

years ago but only now apply to join the

CPVA. It’s rewarding to have them and the

applicants who are serving members of the

CPS join us. If you bump into someone who

hasn’t joined us, or someone who has let

their membership expire, please ask them to

sign up.

The Board wishes all our members and their

loved ones a merry Christmas and a very

happy, safe and prosperous new year.

To all our snowbirds, travel safe and haste

ye back.

● ● ●


Secretary/Treasurer– Membership Report ● Doug van den Brink

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

M y very best to everyone! As I write winter has

come early and no so pleasantly. For all of you

lucky enough to escape south, do enjoy and stay

safely.

Our Association remains vibrant and active. The regular

luncheons at the Cuff n Billy have been very well attended;

the Steak BBQ in September was a huge hit again, and every-

one seems excited about the upcoming Christmas party on

FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 at the Cuff.

As of September 30th, the CPVA had assets of $31,455.00

compared to $29,942.00 at year-end 2018. This includes

app. $2,000.00 in the newly created Benevolent fund (the

fund has since more than doubled in size thanks to generous

donations from members).

The Association subsidizes or contributes to member events

including the luncheons, BBQ, Christmas party, and golf tour-

nament in addition to providing prizes. The Calgary Flames

season tickets and Stampeder season tickets remain our

largest expense, $5700.00 and $3,000.00 respectively, and

provide our members a great opportunity they might not nor-

mally enjoy.

The 50/50 draws between January and September added

$1955.00 in additional funds to the Association’s coffers as

well as an equal amount in the pockets of some pretty happy

members!

The good news on the membership front is we have 884 ac-

tive members; the not so good news is our drive to keep

memberships current is not quite where it should be.

Though most members are keeping their dues in good order

we remain with about 20% of members a year or more be-

hind on their memberships. The Board will again be sending

arrears notices for those members. We really do not want to

suspend anyone so I would very much encourage you to

bring your memberships up to date. Dues are still only $15

per year up to the end of 2019 then $20 beginning January

2020. Dues can be paid by mail or in person at either the

Calgary Police Credit Union, 5111 – 47th Street NE, T3J 3R2,

the Police Association offices, 2nd floor, 3730 Westwinds

Drive NE, T3J 5H3, by phone at 403-269-2466 (ask for Kate)

or at the regular luncheons (see George Gourdinne). It’s

easy, not a lot to ask, and I think most everyone appreciates

what the Association provides for its members.

We have also continued our initiative to educate “late career”

members still serving with the CPS as to their eligibility to

join our Association and we have several still serving mem-

bers on our roll.

At the present time over 500 of our members and their part-

ners have Vet’s Name Tags helping jog our often-

questionable memories during our social events. The CPVA

nametags are supplied through the generosity of the Office of

the Chief. The nametags have been issued to members who

have attended the Christmas Party, BBQ or regular lunch-

eons. If you have been attending and have been overlooked

please contact George Gourdinne who has been coordinating

the distribution, or myself. Please note, lost Name Tags cost

about $10 each to replace and that cost will be charged to

the member.

If you have any questions regarding your membership status

please contact me directly.

I really encourage everyone to come out as often as you can

to the monthly luncheon at the Cuff n Billy Club. It’s a lot of

fun, the meals are excellent and it’s a great opportunity to

keep in touch with members we have all worked with over

time, and maybe don’t otherwise see very often. We have

been reminded too often this past year that life doesn’t al-

ways give us one more chance to see an old friend.

Should anyone have any questions or comments I am always

available.

Doug van den Brink

Secretary/Treasurer-Membership Coordinator

[email protected]

● ● ●


CPVA Board Update ● Jim Hegan

Paul G. Forrayi REALTOR ®

cell: 403-651-0070

email: [email protected]

With over 18 years of real estate

experience

I can help you with all of your

real estate needs!

Ask about my special CPS rates!

Referrals mean a lot to me!

Residential, Rural & Commercial

The Real Estate Company Ltd.

G reetings from your CPVA Board. Summer is officially over and we are now diving into "parka mode." Hope-fully everyone had a decent, if not great, summer. Summer events that were a great success included

the Golf tournament (a tad rainy), the CPVA BBQ (very well attended), and the monthly luncheons. Members who attended any or all of these functions had a great time. As we roll into the winter season, the major event at hand is the CPVA Christ-mas Party. This event has been completely sold out. If you were planning to attend, I hope you purchased your tickets early.

The board itself has seen no structural or personnel changes since the appointments made at the May Annual General Meeting. Since that time, the CPVA Benevolent Fund has come into complete operation. An explanation of this fund and ways to access information on it are available on the CPVA web-site. If you are not yet familiar with this fund and its operation, we encourage you to check the website.

Your CPVA Board currently consists of the following person-nel:

President.............................................Mike Turcotte

Vice President.....................................Bill Sturgeon

Secretary Treasurer............................Doug van den Brink

Director...............................................Rod Embree

Director...............................................George Gourdinne

Director ..............................................Bill McMillan

Director...............................................Jim Hegan

Director...............................................Marty Fulkerth

Director...............................................Mike Bertin

Director...............................................Susanne Tarrant

Past President....................................Jeff Massicotte

As is say in every newsletter, this is your Board. As such the Board is responsible to you. If you have any concerns, please bring them to the attention of any Board member who in turn will see that the issue is dealt with—hopefully to your satisfac-tion. In closing, I'd like to leave you with a thought on an Old Fool.

"Poor Old Fool," thought the well-dressed gentleman as he watched an old man fish in a puddle outside a pub. So he invit-ed the old man in for a drink. As they sipped their whiskeys, the gentleman thought he'd humor the old man and asked, "So how many have you caught today?" The old man replied, "You're the eighth."

We hope that everybody has a reasonably enjoyable winter.... be it here or elsewhere. Take care of yourselves and "play" safe.

● ● ●

CPVA NEWS ● 2019 December

The Dead Horse

A young man named Donald bought a horse from a

farmer for $250. The farmer agreed to deliver the horse

the next day. The next day, the farmer drove up to Don-

ald's house and said, “Sorry son, but I have some bad

news, the horse died.” Donald replied, “Well, then just

give me my money back.”

The farmer said, “Can’t do that. I went and spent it al-

ready.” Donald said, “Ok, then, just bring me the dead

horse.”

The farmer asked, “What ya gonna do with him?”

Donald said, “I’m going to raffle him off.”

The farmer said, “You can’t raffle off a dead horse!”

Donald said, “Sure I can, Watch me. I just won’t tell any-

body he’s dead.”

A month Later, the farmer met up with Donald and

asked, “What happened with that dead horse?”

Donald said, “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at five

dollars a piece and made a profit of $2495.”

The farmer said, “Didn’t anyone complain?”

Donald said, “Just the guy who won. So, I gave him his

five dollars back.”

(Epilogue: Donald later moved into the White House.)

(Contributor: W.M. (Bill ) Penman)

Santa’s “Ho! Ho! Ho!


As you likely know, with City of Calgary budget cuts and the direct impact that they will have on the service, there is a decided lack of incoming funds to the museum and as such, we find ourselves in need of assistance with some skilled jobs. Specifically, we were hoping to appeal to the vets to find someone in the Calgary area who might be willing to assist us with some handyman/ handygal projects that we need to complete around the museum. An example of

some of the jobs we need done are: ● Painting cabinets ● Patching some holes in the walls (then painting) ● Fixing

up some loose baseboards ● Light construction projects etc. We will provide supplies such as paint nails etc. but if our prospective volunteer has their own tools to bring that might be helpful as our supply is limited.

Many thanks!

STEPHANIE Woodridge B.A., M.A. Archives Collection Specialist YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre 403.428.8396 | [email protected] www.youthlinkcalgary.com 5111 - 47 ST NE, Calgary AB T3J 3R2

Joni Bradley - Dragonfly Energy Therapy Inc and Paulette Dumont-Cheema wish to

thank the Calgary Police Veterans committee for giving us the opportunity to donate a

few door prizes at the Veterans BBQ this past September and posting a memo in the local

newsletter. We wish to reach out to all active and retired officers and their families.

Whether your concerns are respiratory, rest & sleep, mood management, focus, emotional

aromatherapy, immune system, muscle and joint pain, doTERRA Essential Oils can soothe,

elevate, calm, boost your body.

If you like to know more about doTerra Essential Oils and how they work and pur-

chase at whole pricing (25% discount off retail pricing), receive free products, please visit

my link at mvdoterra.comipaulettedumont or contact me cell/text 403-554-9940 or

email me at [email protected]

We do home events, group events, one-on-ones.

CALL TO ACTION: Seeking Police Museum Volunteers

mailto:[email protected]


I started my police

career in February

1972 when I be-

came a member of

the City of Glasgow Po-

lice Force—the oldest

modern police force,

established in 1800,

twenty-nine years before

that cheeky upstart, the

London Met, which for

years tried to claim the

title. I pounded the beat in the Eastern Division, a vio-

lent and poverty-stricken area. Our “bible” was the

newly updated “City of Glasgow Police Instructional

Manual.” (Please note, I said “updated.”)

John Wayne must have been one of the authors of this

gospel, for paragraph 218 in Sec. XIII-Street Duty is as

follows:

When an officer sees a runaway horse in the street, he

should endeavour to stop it. A good plan is to get a

hold of a shaft or trace on the near side, and then of the

reins. (Now, what Glaswegian lad, growing up in a tene-

ment has any idea of what a “shaft” or a “trace” is?) By

a sharp jerking of the reins, one will as a rule be able to

bring the runaway to a standstill. Another method,

which sometimes tried with success, is to mount the

vehicle and seize the reins from the horse’s back.

(Please note this was 1972, not 1872, and the word,

“sometimes”.)

In 1970’s Glasgow, punters could still rent carts and

poor, emaciated horses (which were one hoof away

from the knackers yard) and would then traverse the

streets of Glasgow gathering rags and bones to eke out

a living.

Children would run to their parents, begging for some-

thing with which to trade for a balloon. Rarely did the

renters of the horse and cart abide by the strict regula-

tions regarding the condition of the poor horse or the

properly trimmed wicks of the lamps and other required

accoutrements of the cart. Constables had the power to

seize horses and carts which didn’t meet the strict reg-

ulations and take them to the Central Division to have

them impounded. Poor probationary constables were

teamed up with crusty old coppers who didn’t have

much time for rookies and thought it hilarious to make

such seizures and then have the probationer lead the

horse and cart, much like the Pied Piper, through the

streets of Glasgow to the Central Division followed by

children begging for balloons; “Gonnae gie’s a balloon

Jimmy?” Every male in Glasgow is referred to as

“Jimmy.” It was rather embarrassing … so a colleague

told me.

● ● ●

Glasgow Story ● Bill Sturgeon

1. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) — Rupert Holmes

2. Send One Your Love — Stevie Wonder

3. Babe — Styx

4. Ladies Night — Kool and the Gang

5. Better Love Next Time — Dr. Hook

6. We Don’t Talk Anymore — Cliff Richard

7. Take the Long Way Home — Supertramp

8. Cool Change — Little River Band

9. Do That to Me One More Time — Captain & Tennille

10. Please Don’t Go — KC and the Sunshine Band

Pop Top 10 for December 15, 1979


This tribute is dedicated in loving memory to our Brothers and Sisters who have gone before us. Although not

everyone memorialized below was a CPVA member, it is recognized that they were our brothers and sisters within

our police family. They passed away leaving us with heavy hearts and fond memories. They will be missed and

always remembered.

In Memoriam ● Prepared by Ruth Bragg

(Continued from page 2) FRONT PAGE

The front page illustration depicting a beat cop during a blizzard was sketched by Calgary's Finest police cowboy, Donald

Charles Brestler (CCP #248) during the 1960s. It is my favourite of all Don's police sketches. Don shared his health challenges

with Ron Tarrant and I during our home visit with him back in June 2019, just as I was preparing my article about him for the

CPVA News 2019 summer edition. I invited Don & his family to be my guests at the September 2019 CPVA Bar B Q Dinner,

knowing they would thoroughly enjoy it and that it would also be a delightful reunion for many of Don’s former col-

leagues. Although his health was rapidly deteriorating, Don was determined to travel to Calgary for the event. Upon their arrival, I

escorted Don & his family to our police museum for a visit and for the staff to meet such a talented artist with a historic connec-

tion to our past. They were thrilled! After the museum visit, the Vet's dinner followed. We had name tags made for Don and his

family so everyone knew who they were. Don was quite a hit with the senior Vets!

Sadly, Don lost his battle to cancer in September 2019. Before his passing, he autographed a copy of the winter blizzard sketch

with his written comments, “Thanks for remembering me.”

Dale Flemming

● ● ●

Right: A final farewell to a remarkable

artist and former CPS member, Don

Brestler. Standing to his left are Tim

Lynn and Len Esler.

● Vernice Sayers (Civilian) (Retired) — July 14, 2019

● Allan Johnston (Retired) — July 24, 2019

● Ed Madsen (Retired) — July 28, 2019

● Eric Davis (Retired) — September 9, 2019

● Don Brestler (Ex-member) — September 25, 2019

● John Hibbert (Retired) – October 2, 2019

● Doug Chrismas (Retired) — October 3, 2019

● Stuart Logan (Serving) — October 6, 2019

● Glen Berry (Retired) — October 12, 2019

● Shelagh Repp ( Ex-civilian) — October 16, 2019

● Bert Tysowski (Retired) — November 20, 2019

• Tom Summers (Retired) — November 29, 2019

• Mike Beal (Retired) — November 29, 2019


RETIREES ● Compiled by Kate Jacobson (CPA)

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CPVA NEWS

AUGUST 2019 2951 Cst Eric Levesque

SEPTEMBER 2019 3845 Cst Tony Stiles

3007 D/C Sat Parhar

2925 D/C Ray Robitaille

OCTOBER 2019 3380 Cst Will Johnson

NOVEMBER 2019 2799 Insp Terry Larson

3246 S/Sgt Mike Power

2988 Sgt John W. Anderson

DECEMBER 2019 4639 Cst Jim Anderson


JIM BERGEN: A CPVA VETERAN’S PROFILE ● by Dale Flemming

CPVA NEWS

I have known this kind-hearted, soft spoken gentle-

man since receiving his ever so welcomed tele-

phone call thirty years ago. He was informing me

that I had successfully completed the police appli-

cant entrance requirements and now offering me a fu-

ture with the Calgary Police Service. It was a call most

of us never forget and thankfully, rarely regret since we

have “Chosen to Serve” our community with the best

police service in the country.

Jim was born on his

family’s farm during the

years of WWII near the

beautiful city of Leiden,

the Netherlands, and is

a middle child joining

five brothers and two

sisters. The correct

spelling of his family

name is actually

“BergenHenegouwen,”

however, Jim later ab-

breviated his surname

to “Bergen” after he

joined the Calgary City

Police (I’ll explain this later in the profile). The family

survived the horrors of the war and in 1952 they immi-

grated to Canada after his father was sponsored by a

sugar beet farmer near Picture Butte, Alberta.

Entering his adulthood, Jim pondered with the idea of

becoming a police officer and considered applying with

the nearby Lethbridge Police Department. He sought

advice from the town cop in Picture Butte who suggest-

ed to him that he might reconsider and apply to the Cal-

gary City Police because it was a larger centre, there-

fore a less likelihood to having enforce the law upon a

family friend or even a neighbour. The town cop, who

was an ex-Lethbridge police officer kindly offered to

provide Jim with a reference letter. After arranging to

take a day off in mid-week, Jim set off travelling north to

Cowtown.

Upon his arrival, Jim met with and was interviewed by

city police Inspector Harry Timms who immediately

asked him if he could operate a vehicle with a standard

transmission, making reference that the city police had

a wagon (The Black Maria). Being a farm boy, Jim as-

sertively responded that he could, “Good!”, said the

Inspector commenting that city boys could not. After

reviewing the reference letter, the Inspector had Jim

write a test, complete the fitness and doctor’s examina-

tion and after passing these requirements, he told Jim,

“OK, you’re in” all occurring on the same day!

Although Jim was hired in January of 1962, he did not

go immediately into training classes. In those days you

walked the beat on midnight shifts with a senior mem-

ber until your class was filled. On a couple of occasions,

he was paired up with fellow officers Frank Mitchell or

Bill Crabbe, both had such a sense of humor and they

constantly had Jim laughing his way through a quiet

nightshift.

It took several weeks before the city police had enough

recruits to run a class. By March, Jim, along with 22

others, including Roger Bechthold, Gerry Befus, George

Gourdinne, Ralph McNutt and Gord Shaw, formed

Class #17. Early in training, the Inspector encountered

some difficulty pronouncing Jim’s surname, remarking

“that it will never fit on a pay cheque.” Jim replied, “I’ll

fix that” crossing out the “Henegouwen” part of his sur-

name to appease the Inspector and that is how and why

it was changed to “Bergen.”

After five quick weeks of training, Jim and his class-

mates were out walking the various city beats. He re-

calls his criminal law instructor, Butch Roberts, stating

the importance for checking properties during a shift.

(Continued on page 11)

Cst. Jim Bergen CPS #1199

Photo courtesy of YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre


One could ignore a couple of drunks brawling on the

street, but an officer was held accountable for any

break-ins occurring on their watch. This meant a lot of

walking and rattling of door knobs during each shift.

Another expectation for the beat cop working a dayshift

was to promptly report to the corner of Centre Street

and 6th Avenue South at a designated time each after-

noon during your shift and be prepared to salute the

conspicuous 1958 Blue DeSoto car with the Chief of

Police inside as it passed through the intersection. Jim

recalls being assigned to light duties following an illness

and while recovering, found himself driving the paddy

wagon or the DeSoto for the Chief. On one bitterly cold

winter day, he was driving the Chief through this inter-

section, observing a nearly frozen beat cop wearing the

flaps down on his issued fur cap while saluting the car

and hearing the Chief comment, “I never had my flaps

down”. Jim responded, “well, I see your ears are still

intact,” Afterwards, the Chief never had much to say to

Jim.

As I was thumbing through a photo album incorporating

a detailed collection of Jim’s police memoirs, I came

across pictures showing a young Jim Bergen attempt-

ing to arrest a suspect for breaking into his girlfriend’s

apartment. As the suspect resisted, Jim grabbed onto

him, but the defiant suspect had shed his shirt and jack-

et, slipping out of Jim’s grasp and the chase was on.

With Jim in hot foot pursuit, the suspect was quickly

captured. At first, I thought that the photos must be a

staged enactment of some kind. What would have been

the likelihood of a citizen with a camera capturing the

sequence of events back in the 1960’s? Well, apparent-

ly, there was a news journalist “Johnny on the spot”

that witnessed the entire events unfold—good timing.

“You’re under arrest! One in custody!

A steady employment provided Jim with the security of

a roof over his head by renting a place in the communi-

ty of Killarney and owning a car. He lived on the same

street where another city cop, Ken Ogg and his son

Don who also join the city police, had lived. Jim was en-

joying these years as the young people on the street

liked hanging around him and the handy idea of having

access to his car for trips to the local Burger Baron or

Dairy Queen.

While living in Killarney, Jim met the love of his life,

Donna while she was visiting her cousin who also lived

on his street. He immediately took a shine to her and he

still chuckles when they both discovered that they

shared the same birthday. They soon married, buying

their home in 1970 in the community of Marlborough

and eventually becoming parents to a daughter and

son. Donna has been Jim’s soul-mate for 55 blessed

years and she is quick to respond that Jim has never

forgotten her birthday!

(Continued from page 10)


Photo courtesy of YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre


In 1973, Jim encountered two big changes in his policing

career. He was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to

Zone B-3 along with twelve other officers policing this

southeast pocket of “B” District, adjacent to the down-

town core of the city. Second, was the arrival of a fresh,

youthful police Chief, Brian Sawyer. This new Chief em-

barked upon restructuring the Force and making positive

changes including introducing zone and community polic-

ing and according to Jim, the Chief “had the remarkable

ability to remember your name, even though you may

have only bumped into him a couple times a year.”

Twenty-four-hour coverage of the zone was required and

Jim often doubled up with one of his fellow officers when

they were running short. There are those who have man-

aged to sail through their police careers with minimal ex-

posure to a critical incident involving one of their com-

rades. Speaking from uninvited experience, there have

been times in Jim’s career that were quite the opposite.

Jim had only been in the zone for a year before the day

the police force lost its innocence and the city was shaken

by the tragic events of “Black Friday.” The three-hour

standoff of a deranged barricaded gunman that killed De-

tective Boyd Davidson unfolded on Jim’s watch, occurring

in his zone.

Through his glassy eyes, Jim recalls the vivid memories of

repeated gunshots echoing in the Ramsay neighbour-

hood. As he peered down upon Boyd laying on a stretch-

er being hustled away by ambulance attendants, he knew

that a comrade was already gone due to his wound. In the

end, seven other officers were wounded and the gunman

lay dead after a desperate attempt to flee on foot from his

torn apart residence.



Jim and Donna Bergen: 55 years of togetherness

Jim Bergen, far left, with Tom Dick and injured Bob Barrett

The aftermath of Black Friday

CPS “Black Friday” shield


The following day Jim received a call from the Ramsay

Community Association on behalf of an upset neighbour

reporting that the City refused to clean up the blood and

human tissue of a wounded officer staining their side-

walk. Responding to the neighbour’s concern out of his

sense of duty and decency, Jim located a bucket and a

stiff bristle brush. Upon attending the residence, it was

obvious to Jim that the place needing to be cleaned was

where Boyd was standing moments before the fatal shot

the day before.

It was a few years later when Jim was a detective work-

ing in the close-knit investigative team of 4 GIS when the

team learned that their supervisor, Staff Sergeant Keith

Harrison had been shot by a foursome of criminals sus-

pected of robbing a bank.

Then, early one morning the next year, Jim was working

as a District Sergeant when he was summonsed by the

brass to attend Constable Bill Shelever’s residence to

notify his spouse that her husband had been shot while

on duty. He recalls her emotional response while stand-

ing on the doorstep, hat in hand and telegraphing his

feelings before disclosing that her husband has been

shot and later transporting her to the hospital where he

witnessed another fellow officer struggling to survive.

I asked Jim what he did to keep himself grounded to help

deal with these events as society did not fully understand

the effects caused by post traumatic injuries. “Well I have

a dark closet tucked away in the back of my mind where

I just don’t go,” although he acknowledged that his fami-

ly, friends and keeping busy likely helped.

Jim has a love for all music. He was inspired by talented

up and comers like Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis Pres-

ley and Buddy Holly, learning the language of music ear-

ly in his life and as a teenager, singing in the Picture

Butte church choir. In the 1960’s Jim joined the Calgary

Civic Chorus that was a popular choir made up of city

employees who volunteered their time to sing at various

city events. Throughout the years, Jim pursued his love

of music, joining the Calgary Police Choir and later the

Dutch-Canadian Choir. He was thrilled to achieved a life-

long milestone when he was invited to audition and then

selected as one of the baritone singers needed in an up-

coming requiem held at the Knox United Church in

downtown Calgary. For those not familiar with singing


(Continued on page 14) The Calgary Civic Chorus, circa 1968


voices, tenors sing the high, baritones the middle and

basses the low harmonies in adult males of a choir.

Through the experience, Jim found himself singing with

established professionals in this highly regarded venue,

known for its superior acoustics. Lately, he has been

teaching himself to learn piano.

In 1994, Jim retired from the CPS after serving thirty-two

years of exemplary police service. He has always been

active, consistently incorporating physical fitness into his

daily life and routine throughout the years – Bob Plant

would be proud of him! After so many years of community

service, Jim felt he needed to continue his contribution

and for the past two decades, he has held the positions of

Director, Secretary and is the current Chairman for the

Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society Activity Centre.

He has transitioned well into private his life, spending

much of his time with Donna, the kids and four grandchil-

dren while continuing to give back to his community. His

sage advice about being a police officer, “It is not at all

about what you have done that you will be remembered,

rather it is the lasting impressions of how you made peo-

ple feel.”

● ● ●


TWENTY YEARS ON ● By Ron Tarrant

Who would have dreamed twenty short years ago, how large we were going to grow, A handful of friends, old retired cops to meet monthly for a noontime hello! By-laws in place, dues set at ten, and a pin to wear on your lapel, It was full steam ahead as the Legion was picked, even then they treated us swell. Our ladies would not be neglected they said and widows would not be forgot, They would come as our guests each Christmas, with music and dancing, the lot. The word quickly spread there was no rank at all, using first names for even the ex-chiefs, As new members joined they recounted old times, chasing hookers or arresting a thief. Now twenty years on we can look back with pride, there’s no need to retire all alone, A hundred or more sit down for a lunch, proof that we really have grown. We take care of the polls for elections, and the CPA pays us quite well, This cash infusion helps to stay in the black, and it's fun once a year truth to tell. So let's give a cheer to the hard working group, who gives of their time so free, A number of folks have worked through the years, and still do a good job you'll agree. It's so easy to take things for granted, when everything runs like a clock. So try throwing your hat in the ring someday soon, it's one thing to say, “THANKS A LOT.”


Luncheons & Special Events ● George Gourdinne, Director

O n a continuing basis our monthly lunches continue to be a popular event with the average attendance ranging from the high 80’s to the low 90’s. We also have some new members who have joined our great

organization which enhances our diversity and growth in numbers .

Our annual steak barbecue which was held on Sept. 6th con-tinued to be a popular event. The almost sold out crowd in-cluded special guests Police Chief Mark Neufeld and his wife and also CPA President Les Kaminski. Photos of the event depict the full banquet room.

The annual Christmas party which was held on Dec. 6th was a com-plete sell out with 177 in attend-ance. Our president, Mike Turcotte, was the evening’s MC.

The traditional turkey dinner was enjoyed by all. Special guests also attending this event were Police Chief Mark Neufeld and his wife and CPA President Les Kaminski. Photos of this event (below) also depict the full banquet room.

George Gourdinne

Mike Bertin

● ● ●

2019 December 6 CPVA Christmas Party ● Photos by Bill Sturgeon


2019 December 6

CPVA Christmas Party


Commentary ● Jon Netelenbos, Editor

T here is a frequently spoken word in the Dutch lan-

guage that lexicographers and translators find diffi-

cult to translate into English. Loosely translated (and I

emphasize “loosely”), “gezellig” in English means co-

zy, convivial, comfy, warm, sociable, good company, etc.—

you get the idea.

There are probably another few dozen additional English

words that could also be added to this list, and for that reason

one can argue that because the word does not have a precise

English equivalent, it is untranslatable.

But it is the context in which the word “gezellig” is used in

Dutch conversation which reveals the nuances of this multi-

meaning word.

For example, while both a “gezellig” sleigh ride and a

“gezellig” house might in English be translated as a “cozy

sleigh ride” and a “cozy house,” they carry subtly different

meanings in the Dutch language.

My memories as a youngster in the Netherlands during the

Christmas season involved a lot of “gezelligheid.” Even

though electric tree lights had been on the market for some

time, our family opted for real candles. It was a potentially

hazardous practice and therefore my parents carefully super-

vised us during the lighting of these.

On Christmas Eve we went to church wearing our Sunday’s

best, which in my case included a dark blue blazer, white shirt

and khaki short pants. I didn’t really enjoy wearing these

clothes because much of the fabric at that time was wool and

very uncomfortable. Nonetheless, I had no say in the matter.

I was always in awe of the massive structures of the old

Dutch churches with their tall cylindrical columns flanking the

nave, and the enormous pipe organs accompanying the con-

gregation in the singing of Christmas carols. It can only be

said that these were exceptionally “gezellig” times for me.

On Christmas Day both my mother and father prepared the

dinner for our family of six. Little did we realize that our par-

ents were hoping that we would pursue “gezelligheid”

throughout our adult years and for generations to follow.

During my years of CPS service I met a surprising number of

colleagues who were born in the Netherlands and who experi-

enced the Dutch culture during their childhood years before

emigrating to Canada. All too well, without exception, these

members instinctively knew what it meant to enjoy a “gezellig”

cup of coffee.

This holiday season, I wish all of you and your families many

“gezellig” times and hope that despite life’s up-and-downs,

you continue to remain positive throughout your retirement

years.

Again, I quote the words of Scottish novelist and playwright,

James Barrie: “God gave us memory so that we might have

roses in December.”

Have a very Merry Christmas, Everyone!

● ● ●

Christmas 1957: the editor in the Netherlands

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