Dozens of law enforcement officials, relations and group members gathered Wednesday to mark 30 years since a Montreal police officer was shot and killed within the line of responsibility within the metropolis’s West Island.
André Lalonde was gunned down on April 29, 1996, after pulling over a driver on Senneville Highway for a loud muffler. As he approached the automobile, the driving force pulled a gun and fired three pictures. Lalonde was taken to hospital, the place he died just a few hours later.
The suspect was by no means arrested and the case stays open.
A ceremony was held Wednesday on the precise intersection the place Lalonde was killed, with a big police motorcade travelling via the quiet suburban avenue to honour the fallen constable.
Relations positioned flowers beside a plaque marking the situation the place Lalonde’s life was reduce brief.
His son, Patrick Lalonde, stated the tragedy had an enduring impression. “This tragic occasion profoundly impacted our household and all these near us,” he stated.
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Patrick Lalonde recalled being in CEGEP when he was unexpectedly referred to as out of sophistication.
“The director of the college got here up within the class and stated, I would like to talk to Pat Lalonde. I stated, what’s happening? What did I do unsuitable?” he stated.
Two law enforcement officials had been ready to take him to Lakeshore Common Hospital.
“I assumed it was a automobile accident or one thing. However I by no means thought it was as a result of he was killed by a man with three pictures,” he stated.
Nicole Lalonde, the officer’s widow, stated the household continues to really feel his loss.
“We cried rather a lot. All of the household. And we miss him,” she stated, remembering him as a faithful husband and father.
She stated Lalonde had simply begun his policing profession days after they had been married.
“We’re married the Saturday and he began on the Monday,” she informed World.
Lalonde had 30 years of service and was simply weeks away from retirement. He had not been scheduled to work the day he was killed however had been requested to return in.
His spouse stated she repeated the identical phrases she informed him each morning that day, not understanding it might be the final. “I stated, okay, take care.”
Police say Lalonde’s legacy continues to resonate inside the pressure.
“Now we have an image of him within the convention room, so each day we see him, and he’s watching us,” stated SPVM Station 1 commander, Eric Gosselin.
The investigation into his killing stays ongoing.
