‘I’ll always miss him’: BC teacher remembers fallen RCMP officer

Dozens of community members visit the vigil set up outside the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment for fallen officer Const. Rick O’Brien.

One of those community members is teacher Steve Ball who spoke with Global News.

Bal brought flowers to pay his respects to his late friend.

“I met Rick when he was working as an education assistant in the Chilliwack School District,” Ball said.

“He came into my classroom to work with one of the particularly troubled kids … he saved me on a daily basis. He kept that little guy busy.”

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A 25-year-old man has been charged following the shooting death of a BCRCMP officer.

Ball said O’Brien had a friendly spirit that led to strong friendships.

“We had a great time, we had a great relationship – lots of laughs and jokes. We kept each other sane that (school) year.

O’Brien was shot and killed Friday morning while executing a warrant at a Coquitlam condominium building related to a Maple Ridge narcotics investigation.

Two other officials are recuperating at home after one was shot in the incident. The suspect was also shot and taken to the hospital.

Late Saturday afternoon, homicide investigators announced that 25-year-old Nicholas Bellemeyer has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder with a firearm and is in custody.

O’Brien had only been a member of the RCMP for seven years. He was a front-line officer who Ball said he wanted to work with young students again.

“He said he wanted to be a liaison-style officer in the schools and he was looking forward to pursuing that. I was pretty excited for him because he was so passionate,” Ball said.

“I think he would have made a wonderful liaison officer. I wish he had the opportunity.

“I will always miss him.”

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Ridge Meadows RCMP officer killed in Coquitlam incident

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