Peter Christopher Schiemann

SCHIEMANN Constable Peter Christopher May 3, 1979 - March 3, 2005 Peter was our second of three children. Our oldest is Michael and our youngest is Julia. Peter was born in Petrolia, Ontario and his early years were spent in Corunna and London, Ontario where I served as pastor of Lutheran churches in those communities. In 1988, we moved to Stony Plain, Alberta where Peter attended St. Matthew Lutheran School and Stony Plain Composite Memorial High School. From High School he went to Concordia University College of Alberta. For a young man, he had an incredible work ethic. He held down a number of part-time jobs which included getting up at two in the morning every third weekend to milk cows at a local dairy farm. He loved trying his hand at new things. Skydiving, becoming a licensed driver, all became part of his portfolio, so to speak. He learned how to drive a tractor trailer and got a job driving truck at Coca-Cola so he could practice his driving skills. He loved cars and we found last night a list he had kept of every car he had driven in his teenage years. With all his part-time and summer jobs, he put himself through University without incurring any student debt. In the latter part of his second year, he got a part-time job washing police cars for Parkland County and - you guessed it - that's where the first seeds were planted for a future police vocation. With his winsome smile and the twinkle in his eyes, he made friends easily. But the most essential part of Peter Schiemann was his Christian faith. He never hesitated to speak of it and it came from him as naturally as could be because it was who Peter was. Regular in Sunday worship, president of the youth group, strongly committed to Jesus, he sometimes took a little ribbing for it, but was never mocked or derided. I believe that people who knew Peter, knew that his faith in Christ as his Saviour made him what he was and they could not make fun of that. Peter graduated from Concordia in May of 2000 with a BA in Sociology and Psychology and in June, he was at Depot in Regina, training to be a member of the finest police force in the world. In November of 2000, along with the rest of the members of troop eleven, he graduated from Depot. Our hearts were bursting with pride when at his graduation ceremony, dressed in his red serge, he was assigned to general duty in Mayerthorpe, Alberta.Peter quickly became part of this rural community and part of the RCMPfamily at the Mayerthorpe detachment. He was a smart officer who knew how to work with people. He discovered that the Stony Indian word for "police" was "shaman" so at the Alexis Reserve in Glenevis, which was part of the detachment patrol area, he introduced himself as "Constable Peter Shaman". They thought that was pretty cool. But what was even "cooler" was the dignity and respect with which he treated them and all the people with whom he worked, no matter what side of the law they were on. About a year and a half ago, he was transferred to highway patrol and he quickly became the nemesis of many speeders as he patrolled highway 43 in his unmarked Caprice - the car he affectionately called his "silver bullet". He had amazing intuition as a police officer. He was obviously born to this vocation. He began working in the area of drug interdiction and was identified for special interdiction projects and in January, was trained to teach classes on interdiction. Peter was so many things. A friend, a son, a brother, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and now a citizen of heaven. On the morning of March 3, he died doing what he loved to do. One moment he was with his fellow officers doing police work and the next moment, he was in the arms of his saviour. We cannot begin to imagine the terrible evil that transpired. Four fine young men were murdered in the service of God and country. Some would say that this was Peter's time. I don't believe that. It was a very untimely death for all four. I don't believe for a second that the slaughter of these young men was ever part of God's good and gracious will. God grants to people free will and with free will some people choose to do great evil. But I also know how great is God's love for us. We see it at the cross where God gave His own Son to redeem you and me. I know that when Christ rose from the dead, he rose for Peter. The satanic cackle of evil is silenced by the knowledge that Christ has defeated death and has opened the door to heaven for us all. I know, with all my heart, that God, according to His promise, will bring good out of death of these men. And the first good that I know of is that Peter is in heaven. From my experience with the RCMP, particularly in these last few days, I am proud that Peter was a member of the force. His death is more painful to me and the rest of our family than anything we ever could have imagined. I so wished I could have taken the bullet for him. But that was not to be. Peter gave his life in the service of God and country. Our hearts go out to the families of these men: Constable Leo Johnston, Constable Tony Gordon and Constable Brock Myrol. We are united with them in grief. Our hearts go out to the surviving members of the Mayerthorpe detachment, with whom I was privileged to meet yesterday morning. They were Peter's second family. I wish to thank the RCMP which has provided amazing support for all four families in these last days. In the fog of our grief, they have taken us by the hand and led us to do the things that we need to do at this time. I thank Assistant Commissioner Bill Sweeney, who is the Commanding officer of K Division, and the Commissioner of the RCMP, Giuliano Zaccardelli for their personal support and words of encouragement. I also wish to thank West Jet Airlines. I was in Winnipeg at the airport, preparing to board a flight home to Edmonton when I learned that Peter had been killed. The compassion, the care and the dignity with which they treated me in that unbelievable moment of grief was truly a gift for which I will always be grateful. West Jet Airlines has continued to provide assistance as we gather family and friends together for Peter's funeral. There will be a regimental funeral for Peter Schiemann Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Stony Plain and I understand a memorial service is being planned for Thursday to remember all four of these men. My wife Beth, my son Michael and my daughter Julia wish to express our heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of prayers and support which are coming in from across Canada. Those wishing to pay their respects are invited to Parkland Funeral Chapel, 3502 - 44 Avenue, Stony Plain from 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 7th. A Funeral Service will be held from St. Matthew Lutheran Church , 5021 - 52 Avenue, Stony Plain on Tuesday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend William Ney officiating. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Alberta RCMP Slain Peace Officers Fund, c/o Bob Meredith, 11140 - 109 Street, Edmonton T5G 2T4 or The Ministry of the Gospel St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Parkland Funeral Services of Stony Plain in care of arrangements. 963-2520. An Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial