News
BC officer dies in car crash

Nov 13 2012

SURREY, B.C. – The death of an on-duty RCMP officer in Surrey,
B.C., has shaken members of the service and generated condolences
from police forces across the country for an officer who died much
too young.

Const. Adrian Oliver died at about 5 a.m. Tuesday after a
collision involving his unmarked police cruiser and a transport
truck at a Surrey intersection.

Oliver, 28, was pulled from the tangled wreckage and rushed to
hospital but could not be saved.

The officer’s father and brother are also members of the RCMP.

RCMP media relations officer Sgt. Peter Thiessen said he didn’t
know the officer, but heard good things.

“He was young and he had his whole career ahead of him. Three
years of service, it’s not a lot of service, but certainly at
three-years service, members like him are looked up to by other,
more junior members, to lead the way. He was a leader even with
three years service, I do know that.”

Thiessen said Oliver was nearing the end of his 12-hour shift.
He worked general duty in the North Surrey and Whalley area.

Oliver began his training as a cadet with the RCMP in December
2008 and his first posting as a constable began on June 1, 2009.

He served in the Surrey detachment until he died.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, the commanding officer of
the Mounties in British Columbia, expressed his condolences to
Oliver’s mother, father and two brothers, along with his friends and
colleagues.

Callens said he spoke with Oliver’s father, an RCMP member in
Ottawa, early Tuesday and that the family was preparing to travel to
B.C.

“Clearly, it is a tragic day for the Oliver family and for the
entire RCMP,” Callens told a news conference.

Oliver’s brother is an RCMP member in British Columbia, he said.

“He showcased all the skills, dedication and commitment we ask
for in our members,” Callens said.

Chief Supt. Bill Fordy, who is in charge of the Surrey RCMP, said
emergency responders tried to get Oliver out of his cruiser and
provide medical assistance but the Mountie had already died.

“He was an outstanding police officer with a great attitude and
commitment to serve others,” Fordy said.

“All RCMP members and employees will be impacted by this loss
and we are ensuring that proper support is available to them.”

Darryl Walker, the operations manager of recycling company
Emterra Environmental, located near the intersection of the crash
site, said it was clear from the tangled wreck of the grey police
cruiser he saw that the officer would not have survived.

“The engine was sticking right out,” he said. “It was a
mess.”

About a dozen Mounties were gathered at the scene when he arrived
at work, Walker said.

“They were everywhere, in every direction.”

At least eight blocks were closed in one direction and four in
another, snarling rush-hour traffic in the industrial area, Walker
said.

Trucks that transport recycled material remained idle for part of
the morning as staff dealt with the tragedy so close to their
workplace.

“Everyone is upset to hear a member of the RCMP has died in this
way. They have a hard enough job as it is.”

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said many people will be
affected by Oliver’s death.

“On behalf of the government of Canada, I would like to extend
my heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of
Const. Oliver, who lost his life today while on duty,” Toews said
in a statement.

“This is a very sad day for all Canadians.”

B.C. Justice Minister Shirley Bond joined police departments
across the country in extending condolences to Oliver’s family and
colleagues.

“I was very sorry to learn of Const. Oliver’s tragic death,”
she said. “We know the loss of any officer is a tragedy and our
community is diminished today because of it.”

The big rig was not hauling a trailer at the time, and police say
the driver was not injured.

The Vancouver Police Department is providing oversight in the
investigation into the crash.

The last Mountie to die in line of duty in Surrey was Const. John
Baldwinson, who also died in a crash in October 1975.