Richmond’s Olympic Oval will be filled with a sea of red tomorrow as Mounties in their iconic red shirts honor slain Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang in a full regimental funeral.
“There’s a lot of emotion coming out,” Coquitlam RCMP Const. Jamie Buis said when asked what he would think about when he dons the RCMP uniform. “It’s going to be hard to wear, but you’re also proud because you’re doing your duty on this occasion to be able to show your respect but also to be part of this larger group that supports all those who are suffering, who have suffered dealing with the tragic loss of life”.
Buis was in Burnaby at Seville Tailors on Monday, picking up his red coat, which needed some updated insignia sewn into it.
His partner, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Hilary Murray was also there, making sure her own outfit was ready.
“I haven’t worn it in a few years and it’s really important for me to wear it on Wednesday so I can stand with everyone and show how important her work was and still is,” Murray said. “It’s the same job I do. He was my age. It was in similar circumstances to mine, so it hits very close to home.”
The last time Burnaby RCMP Const. Tyler Milford wore his red Serge for photos at his wedding a few months ago.
This time, he said he will think of Young and other officers who have died in the line of duty this year.
“It’s been a tough couple of months, just what’s been going on in Ontario, and I’m just thinking about Shaelyn, knowing her from the squad,” Milford said. “It’s surreal. It’s something you never thought would happen here.”
Sgt. Ben Robinson, who works with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, said he expects “a lot of emotion, a lot of sadness” when he dons his red coat.
Like many of his comrades, this will be the regiment’s first funeral.
“It’s about being there together, the cohesion of the force and being there for each other,” he said.
With hundreds of Mounties preparing for Yang’s funeral, Seville Tailors has been lined for days with racks of red coats in need of alterations, missing buttons and updated badges reflecting rank and years of service.
“It’s a sad, sad thing that happened and they want to show their respect,” said owner Pat Coco of the Mounties who have been to his store on Curragh Avenue.
Rows of red coats with tags hung from store shelves Tuesday, while others were still being pressed and sewn.
All the while, a steady stream of RCMP officers, some in uniform and some in plainclothes, filed through the door to pick up the red smocks they’ll wear tomorrow to pay respect to their fallen comrade.
After tomorrow, Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj said wearing his uniform will never be the same again.
“It’s going to be a tough day,” he said. “We’re going to honor Shaelyn and, every time I put that sergeant on, it’s going to go through my mind,” he said.
Young, 31, was killed while at a transient camp in Broadview Park on October 18.
He had graduated from the RCMP training academy less than three years earlier.
“Shaelyn was so proud of her outfit,” her family said in a statement released last week.
Live broadcast
Const. Shaelyn Yang’s funeral will be broadcast live from 9am, with the service starting at 11am. and last until approximately 1:30 p.m. The city is hosting a public viewing of the live stream at Willingdon Church at 4812 Willingdon Ave. Capacity is limited to approximately 1,800 people and parking is limited. Shuttles will be available free of charge, departing from the Christine Sinclair Community Center (CSCC) from 9-10:30am. and will return to the community center after the service.
