Shooting Deaths of 4 Mayerthorpe /
Whitecourt RCMP Members
Media Briefing (2005-03-21)
March 02, 2005 - mid pm - Two Bailiffs attended the James Roszko property to execute a civil order to seize a Ford truck.
3:30 pm - While en route to the property the Bailiffs contacted Mayerthorpe Detachment requesting assistance for the purpose of "Keeping the Peace." The call was received and handled by a detachment supervisor. When Bailiffs arrived at the property they found the gate to be locked. The horn was sounded to gain Mr. Roszko's attention. A male believed to be Mr. Roszko is observed departing the property driving a white pick-up truck, north on Range Road 80.
5:30 pm - Mayerthorpe members were briefed by a Bailiff while en route to the property. The officers are stopped by five (5) people on horse back who report being spooked by a lone male in a white truck, driving erratically. The timing, location and description are consistent with Mr. Roszko's departure. Cpl. Martin along with three other members from Mayerthorpe Detachment arrived at the Roszko property. Bailiffs acting on the authority of their Order proceed to search the property for the property to be seized as it was not certain what vehicle Roszko left in. When entry was gained to the Quonset, they discovered what appeared to be an automotive chop-shop. The inside of the Quonset smelled of marijuana, produced by a marijuana grow-operation, also found inside. Additional support from Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt Detachments was brought in to secure the scene while a Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substances Act Search Warrant was processed. The property was secured while officers prepared and processed search warrant documents.
6:30 pm - Bailiffs posted a copy of their seizure notice on the property and left. This ended their involvement.
7:55 pm - Mayerthorpe Detachment received the Search Warrant, endorsed by a Justice of the Peace. They were authorized to search from 8:00 pm on March 02 through to 8:00 pm on March 03, 2005. Cpl. Martin contacted the NCO i/c RCMP Edmonton Auto Theft Unit. It was agreed Auto Theft would attend the following day to work in daylight conditions. The situation was deemed to be within the capabilities of the Mayerthorpe Detachment General Duty members. Strategic planning and assessments were conducted involving members who were familiar with Mr. Roszko, and
the area. The process included; clearing buildings, the actual search and police officer safety. Patrols were made throughout the area in an attempt to locate Mr. Roszko or his truck. One possible sighting turned out to be the wrong vehicle. A " Be On The Lookout For (BOLF) " had been
issued through the RCMP Edmonton Operational Communications Center.
8:40 pm - Cpl. Martin arrived at the Roszko property with the Search Warrant, assisted by six (6) other members.
9:15 pm - A call was placed to Sgt. Pinder, Mayerthorpe Detachment Commander. Sgt. Pinder was briefed on the file and developments. He then placed himself back on duty.
10:00 pm - Sgt. Pinder attended the Roszko property.
11:30 pm - RCMP - Edmonton Police Service " Green Team " attended and assisted in the search operation. A tow truck from Mayerthorpe attended to assist with some of the automotive seizures. Edson Forensic Identification member attended and assisted until 2:30 am. Throughout the evening there were several unconfirmed sightings of Roszko's vehicle
in the Mayerthorpe area. To ensure the safety of the tow truck operator, a member was assigned to provide a police escort. During the search, ammunition was found which was also factored into the assessment process and decisions made respecting who would guard the property. Sgt. Pinder and Cpl. Martin discussed security and safety precautions with the members on site. Cst. Gordon and Cst. Johnston were recalled to guard the scene. Cst. Johnston' s vehicle contained a loaded detachment .308 caliber rifle and Cst. Gordon's vehicle contained a loaded detachment 12 gauge shotgun. Both members were in uniform and carried sidearms. Radio checks were made with the members throughout their shift.
3:30-4:00 am - Cpl. Martin and the Green Team departed the property having seized approximately 280 marijuana plants.
March 03, 2005 - 08:00 am - Two Edmonton Auto Theft members departed for the Roszko property.
09:05 am - Cpl. Martin checked in with members at the scene who advised there had not been any sightings of Roszko during their shift. Cst. Schiemann, who was at the detachment, was preparing to go to Edmonton to purchase work related equipment and supplies. As it is generally inappropriate to shop in uniform, his supervisor approved civilian dress for these duties. He was on duty and on shift at the time. Another member was scheduled to drive Cst. Myrol to the scene to relieve Cst. Gordon. That member was called back to Whitecourt at the last minute so Cst. Schiemann volunteered to drive Cst. Myrol to the Roszko property.
09:10 am - Cst. Schiemann departed Mayerthorpe Detachment, driving Cst. Myrol to the scene. Cpl. Martin was preparing to depart at the same time when discussions arose concerning the two (2) dogs at the Roszko property. He was further delayed by a phone call from the Green Team. While en route, Cpl. Martin heard on the radio that Auto Theft was just arriving. Cpl. Whipple also departed Mayerthorpe Detachment to assist Cpl. Martin with the ongoing search. At this point, Constables' Schiemann and Myrol were 10 to 15 minutes ahead of Corporals' Martin and Whipple. When the two Auto Theft members arrived, they were armed and in plain clothes. They noted two members on top of a shed and the other two watching from below, a short distance from the Quonset. After administering a sedative to dogs penned in the shed the officers proceeded to the Quonset. The four members on scene; Constables Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann, then were observed walking east along the south side of the Quonset until they entered, as noted by the Auto Theft members, who were readying their equipment and preparing to put on coveralls. Moments after the four (4) constables entered the Quonset, gun fire was heard from inside. Cst. Vigor, also a member of the Emergency Response Team, yelled out to his partner and began to proceed towards the front of the structure. Intense follow-up forensic examination and testing will be required to determine exactly what happened inside the Quonset. As Cst. Vigor neared the Police cars
parked close to the front of the Quonset, he observed a male, later identified as James Roszko, exit. Mr. Roszko had in his possession; a Heckler and Koch Model .308 cal. assault rifle with a 20 round magazine, a semi-automatic pistol in his waist band and another long barrel firearm slung over his shoulder. Mr. Roszko fired rounds at Cst. Vigor, narrowly missing him, however striking the parked police car. Cst. Vigor fired rounds at Mr. Roszko who was observed to re-enter the Quonset. The second Auto Theft member used his vehicle to provide cover for Cst. Vigor who immediately called for back-up as both members repositioned themselves. Due to lighting and positioning, the Auto Theft members were not able to see inside the building. Efforts to communicate with the officers or suspect inside were met with no response. Cpl Martin, upon hearing the call for back-up, notified neighbouring detachments. As officers arrived they secured the area.
10:19 am - A call was received for the Edmonton Emergency Response Team to deploy. At this time, officers at the scene believe one member inside the Quonset was down. The whereabouts or status of the other three (3) members and Mr. Roszko was unknown. In addition to the Emergency Response Team (ERT), additional resources were deployed including; Police Service Dog, Explosive Disposal Unit, Air Service provided by Edmonton Police Service's Air One, STARS Air Ambulance and the Red Deer Emergency Response Team. While en route the ERT Commander obtained authority to request armored vehicles be dispatched by the Department of National Defense, Edmonton. Three (3) vehicles, including an armored ambulance were dispatched. As resources arrived, they were assigned appropriate areas of responsibility.
Approx: 2:00 pm - Members from the Explosive Disposal Unit deployed their Remote Mechanical Investigator - a robot, to enter and assess the inside of the Quonset.
02:15 pm - The command was given for ERT to enter
the Quonset. The plan was to move the members out of the Quonset for possible medical attention. At this point, the situation was treated as unsafe until determined to be secure. The scene was subsequently secured with no evidence of any other persons being involved. The entire scene was ordered locked down and "K" Division RCMP Major Crimes were called in to conduct the investigation. Major Crimes and General Investigation members were dispatched from Edmonton and Calgary. To provide investigative assistance and independent oversight, a senior RCMP officer from British Columbia was tasked to take the lead on this investigation, assisted by a team from the BC ("E" Division) Major Crimes Unit. Forensic Identification Specialists were dispatched from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina and Halifax.
Firearms in possession of James Roszko:
- Heckler & Koch, Model 91, .308 calibre semi / fully - automatic rifle with 20 round detachable magazine.
- 9mm, semi-automatic pistol.
- A third firearm.
Qualification of Rumors:
- Our members were not shot during two separate time periods.
- Our members were not shot outside the Quonset and then dragged back inside by Mr. Roszko.
- Crosses on the property do not mark graves.
- No bodies are known to be buried on the Roszko property.
- No charges have been laid as a result of this incident / investigation.
Media Contact
Wayne A. Oakes, Cpl.
780 - 412 - 5260 Bus
Media Relations Officer 780 - 910 - 2355 Cell
RCMP "K" Division 780 - 419 - 0536 Pager
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