The two people charged in the recent death of Saskatchewan RCMP Const. Shelby Patton appeared in court Monday morning in Regina. The pair from Winnipeg face several charges, including manslaughter.
Warning: This story contains graphic details some readers may find distressing.
The two people charged in the recent death of a Saskatchewan RCMP officer appeared in court Monday morning in Regina.
RCMP announced late Sunday night that Alphonse Stanley Traverse, 41, and Marlene Velma Louise Pagee, 42, both of Winnipeg, face several charges in the death of RCMP Const. Shelby Patton, who was killed while on duty at 8 a.m. CST Saturday.
The charges include manslaughter, failure to stop after an accident resulting in death, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property over $5,000. Pagee was also charged with possession of methamphetamine.
Both appeared in Regina Provincial Court Monday morning. Pagee and Traverse both told the judge they understood the charges. Pagee’s matter was adjourned to Friday at 2 p.m. CST so she could get legal advice. Traverse’s matter was adjourned until Monday, June 21, at 2 p.m. CST.
Police say Patton was following a stolen truck from Manitoba when he initiated a traffic stop in the town of Wolseley, Sask., 95 kilometres east of Regina. According to police, Patton was approaching on foot and was struck by the truck. A passerby tried to resuscitate Patton, but was unable to do so.
Police say the two accused fled the scene and were arrested in a farmer’s field in the town of Francis before 10 a.m. CST.
According to court documents, Traverse has several outstanding legal matters in Manitoba and has been previously convicted of break and enter, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Pagee also has outstanding matters and previous convictions that include flight from a peace officer, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime.
Patton had been a constable with the RCMP for more than six years. He worked at the Indian Head detachment since 2015. Before that he was on assignment at Parliament during February and March of 2015.
On Monday morning, just hours after RCMP announced they had laid charges, Patton’s grandmother Linda Patton said the family is getting some relief from knowing the suspects will have to face the courts.
“It’s just such a terrible thing, like it should have not have happened,” she said. “They definitely have to answer to those charges and let’s hope they throw the book at them.”
She said the outpouring of condolences the family has received from the community and across Canada has helped them through this tragic time. Patton is being remembered as a thoughtful and dedicated police officer who loved his job and his family.
“We just can’t thank people enough for the support we’ve had,” she said. “It’s just been so overwhelming.”
Eyewitness says vehicle dragged Patton
Frederick Runns said he saw what happened from his nearby apartment. Runns told CBC News that he saw two people get into a vehicle and start to try to leave as the officer was telling them to stop with his gun out. Then the vehicle swerved.
“They hit him and dragged him,” Runns said. “That was something that you don’t want to see.”
Runns said the officer was dragged for about 20 metres.
“The officer’s vehicle was still running, lights still on,” said Runns’ wife, Regan O’Watch. “The body was at the end of the street.”
Runns said he and his wife have started locking their doors and that it’s scary to think this could happen in a small town where everyone is friendly.
“Nothing like that ever happens around here,” Runns said.
Fake GoFundMe shut down by website
RCMP say Patton’s family informed them Sunday night of a fraudulent GoFundMe page that stated it was created in the name of Patton.
RCMP alerted people to not promote the page’s activities or give money to the campaign, which was run by an account named Sam Joseph. RCMP say they had advised GoFundMe that the account was fake and the page had been deactivated Monday morning. The campaign had raised $1,540.