News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Many people in Williams Lake are grieving with their friend, Erwin Gebhard, whose son was tragically killed in a traffic accident on November 13, 2012.

Constable Oliver was heading back to detachment headquarters in Surrey near the end of his shift, when his unmarked patrol car collided with a tractor trailer in the intersection, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.

Adrian and his twin brother Ben were born in Williams Lake 28 years ago, and spent their first few years here before their step-father was transferred to Eastern Canada. According to friends, Erwin was very happy when the twin brothers were posted to BC after their training, and the loss of his twin has been ‘shattering’ for his brother Ben.

(Photo:  Courtesy of the BC RCMP.)

Erwin is well-known and liked in the Williams Lake area and his friends say, “Many in Williams Lake know Erwin very well, and we are deeply saddened for him and his extended family.”

In a statement to the media today, Constable Oliver's family said:

"We would like to express our true gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of support and strength received from across Canada as they join us in grieving the loss of Adrian.

It is truly hard to express the feelings we have as we deal with the tragic and unthinkable loss of a son, brother, grandson, lifelong companion, friend, colleague and police officer. It is also hard to comprehend the impact his passing has had on the greater community and country he was committed to serve.

We wanted you all to know that Adrian was a truly compassionate and caring man with an infectious smile and willingness to help anyone and everyone he could. He had a great passion for policing and was equally dedicated to his family and friends.

We truly appreciate the messages of condolence, acts of goodwill and overwhelming support we have received from the RCMP, family, friends and the public. It has provided much comfort and is reflective of the way Adrian would act if he was with us today.

If you wish to honour Adrian’s life by way of donation, we encourage you to support Honour House Society which has also been so generous to us during our time in BC. Information about the society and how to make donations can be done by visiting  www.honourhouse.ca.

We would also like publicly thank the first responders, emergency services, and hospital staff for their actions the morning of Tuesday November 13th. We know that you are grieving with us.

We understand that there is great deal of interest to speak to us and learn more about Adrian, but we are asking the media to please respect our privacy at this time. Our focus is on the memorial service and many other arrangements and plans that come with losing a loved one."

Constable Adrian Oliver will be mourned in a full regimental funeral next Tuesday, November 20 at 1:00pm at the Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey. Hundreds of law enforcement officers, as well as family and friends are expected to attend from across North America.

---

 

 

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

| More...

Next >