The theft of a bronze maple leaf from the Honour Garden on the riverfront in Moncton has left Nadine Larche and others angered and disappointed.
Larche discovered the missing leaf on Wednesday morning while visiting the RCMP memorial, which commemorates her husband, Constable Doug Larche, and Constables Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan, who were tragically killed on June 4, 2014.
“I went down this morning to visit Doug, like I often do,” Larche said. “I was just taking a walk around to say hi to Fabrice and Dave, like I also do, and discovered one of the maple leaves missing.”
Her initial reaction was a mix of concern and anger.
“I was steaming mad,” she said. “Discouraged, disappointed, angry, all of the things.”
At first, Larche said she had hoped the City of Moncton might have temporarily removed the bronze leaf as part of ongoing maintenance work, but after contacting city officials, she learned that was not the case.
Larche then contacted the RCMP, and a theft investigation has been opened.
RCMP believe the theft happened sometime between August 7 and 12. A news release states that one or more individuals stole the bronze maple leaf from the monument.
The memorial was unveiled on June 4, 2016, exactly two years after the shootings that shook the community. While the missing leaf may appear to some just as a piece of metal, Larche said its significance goes far beyond that.
The monument contains 12 bronze maple leaves. Each leaf was created using thumbprints contributed by community members and groups connected to the tragedy and its aftermath.
“There was one for each of the families, one for Moncton, one for Dieppe, one for Riverview, one for students in the area, one for RCMP members, firefighters and other first responders,” she explained.
More than 1,500 thumbprints in the memorial leaves make each one unique
“It can’t be replaced,” Larche said.
Larche told us she has heard of other thefts along the riverfront in recent days, but couldn’t say for sure whether or not they might be connected.
She is trying to remain hopeful that the stolen piece will be recovered.
“I’m hopeful that maybe they’ll realize that it’s not just a piece of bronze, that it actually meant something,” Larche expressed.
“This memorial holds tremendous significance for the Codiac Regional RCMP and the citizens of Moncton, ” Inspector Jonathan White from the Codiac Regional RCMP said in a news release. “It stands as a lasting tribute to three of our fallen members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their communities. The theft of this bronze plaque is deeply concerning and disappointing, as it represents far more than a piece of metal. It is a symbol of remembrance, respect, and gratitude.”
Moncton Mayor Shawn Crossman has also expressed how disheartening this news is, “The Honour Garden where the monument stands is a sacred space honouring the sacrifice of these fallen officers, and it is distressing to think that any member of our community would damage it in any way.”
“If anyone knows where the plaque is, I encourage you to return it so it can be reinstalled on the monument where it belongs, “Crossman stated.
There are mixed feelings in the whole community right now, of anger, frustration, and sadness.
“This loss is also being felt by the many people who helped create the memorial and by a community that continues to remember the RCMP officers whose lives were taken 12 years ago. This is an area of importance. It deserves to be treated with respect,” Larche emphasized.
