On Nov. 15, as most residents are lining up at polling stations, Mounties along with other first responders will be running around Deer Lake in honour of one their own who lost his life in 2012.
Born into a family of police officers, Adrian Oliver and his twin brother, Ben both followed in their father’s footsteps (Joe Oliver is an Assistant Commissioner currently serving in Ottawa as the director-general of border integrity for the RCMP’s federal and international operations) and joined the ranks of the Red Serge.
After training in Regina, Sask. Ben was posted in Burnaby and Adrian was sent to Surrey.
On Nov. 13, 2012, Adrian was killed when his unmarked police car collided with a semi-truck while on patrol in Surrey.
When Adrian died, his family flew to the West Coast to attend the memorial. During that time, they stayed at Honour House, which provides temporary housing for families of Canadian Forces and first responders, in New Westminster.
The family’s stay at Honour House made such an impact during that tragic time, that Ben and a couple of his friends decided to organize a fundraiser for the house in Adrian’s honour.
“Because Honour House was so good to our family and friends when they came down and they needed a place to stay, we figured what better way to repay then have something we could do to raise money every year,” Ben said.
Thus the Adrian Oliver Memorial Run was born.
Adrian and Ben both lived in the Deer Lake neighbourhood and used to run around the park along with Adrian’s partner Shelagh Mitchell (she also happens to work with Ben at the Burnaby RCMP) so Ben figured it would be the best location for the charity event.
Last year was the inaugural run and much to Ben and the other organizers’ surprise, the event drew about 200 people to Deer Lake Park and raised more than $3,500 for Honour House and about an additional $10,000 through a memorial bracelet campaign they organized.
“We were hoping for a lot (of people) but we weren’t expecting a lot, we kind of threw it together last minute,” Ben said.
This year, the event has expanded and includes a silent auction and raffle draw as well as an online auction leading up to the event. Items up for auction include yoga packages from Lululemon, trips courtesy of WestJet and clothing from Canada Goose and Running Room. Tim Hortons will also be on hand with hot coffee and snacks prior to the run.
Officers from the USA border patrol are also expected to attend the event along with the Emergency Response Team (Canada’s SWAT). Both groups will be in full gear as they participate in the five- or 10-kilometre run around Deer Lake (so don’t be alarmed if you happen to see them on Nov. 15).
“That should be interesting,” Ben said. “We tried to do something different this year.”
Adrian’s parents attended the memorial run last year and will be once return to Burnaby for the event next Saturday.
“It’s not only to honour Adrian,” Kathryn Oliver said. “It’s to honour all men and women who have died in the line of duty and to give strength and support to all of those families. I know, since Adrian passed away, when I hear things that happen for other families who have lost loved ones it makes me feel like people care out there.”
While Ben, his family and friends were surprised with last year’s turnout, they’re hoping this year it continues to grow even more.
“We’re hoping to do this for the foreseeable future so as long as it gets bigger every year, we’re satisfied,” Ben said.
Online registration for the Adrian Oliver Memorial Run ends Nov. 14 but people can still register at the event starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15. The run begins at 11 a.m. and is followed by a barbecue, raffle and silent auction.
For more information on the event visit honourhouse.ca/events/adrian-oliver-memorial-run.
