Devon Slade – ‘Serge’ of Community Spirit

Brandi | March 11, 2011

A community leader, Constable Slade at Fox Creek's 40th Anniversary, 2007
Part of his duties - first time for Slade, unfortunately last time for the bear, lured to town by improper waste management.
People and bears live hand in hand, we are more alike than different.
Off the streets, onto the ice - Annual Charity Hockey Game, Firefighters and friends
Teaching our youth, buckle up school demonstration. Officers lead our Canada Day parade
G-8 training summit in northern Ontario
When one door closes, another door opens.

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He came to Fox Creek in 2006, an idealistic graduate, straight from Regina Depot, not a scratch on his boots.

Now, with five years wear and some Fox Creek polish, Constable Devon Slade accepted a transfer to Jasper and joins its detachment on March 15.

“I appreciate the opportunities here, at first I wasn’t bad with crowds and not bad with kids,” Slade recalled. Even more accomplished now and certainly no stranger to the classroom, Slade is best known to local children as the D.A.R.E (Drugs, Abuse, Resistance, Education) instructor. He also spearheaded the seatbelt and roll over simulator presentations, coached teens about criminal law, stunting, careless driving and their consequences.

An important member of Citizens on Patrol (COP), auxiliary coordinator, victims’ service coordinator, guard and liaison, Slade built an impressive community profile and earned the respect of many while here.

Always a community advocate, his presence was felt and his contributions vital to bike rodeos, school career nights, Remembrance Day ceremonies, the annual Fireman’s Ball, Halloween safety for kids, pumpkin carving contests, COP meetings, Canada Day parade, CHAMP (Choosing Healthy Attitudes Modeling Pals) program, Candy Cane Checkstops and the charity RCMP golf tournaments.

He had his first encounter with a black bear, hit a deer with a police cruiser and witnessed his first major hail storm while posted here.

Cst. Slade’s lead investigator files number 1575, including two suicides and three fatalities. Three times he provided trial evidence in provincial court.

The highlight of his career was a ten day, demo-military training, G8 summit exercise in northern Ontario last summer.

Mayor Leora MacKinnon presented Slade an town-logo-embroidered golf shirt and a hug at the Feb 28 council meeting.

“On behalf of myself and council, we wish you the best of luck,” Mayor Leora MacKinnon said, “We welcome you back anytime, the door is always open.”

Looking forward to new experiences, “It’s going to be like starting with a clean slate,” he said, with a big smile on his face.

His farewell party held March 13, was well attended by supportive friends and colleagues. Together, Constables Harley Koehler, Justin Baxter, Mike Heysa and Bryden Shea will assume Slade’s various commitments. Fellow officers and Sergeant Jeff McBeth wish Slade well.

Constable Devon Slade cultivated community connections, established friendships and left a lasting impression. He is one of the finest.