Terminally Ill Manitoban Is Sworn in as Honorary Mountie, Fulfilling Lifelong Dream
An 88-year-old Canadian man with a terminal illness was sworn in as an honorary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Manitoba on January 24, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
RCMP shared footage of the emotional ceremony on Facebook, saying Jack Ervin Russell was accepted into the force when he was 20 years old in 1951, but had to decline the offer because his family needed him in Elva, Manitoba.
“Throughout his entire life, Jack wondered what could have been if he had joined and become an RCMP officer,” police said in a Facebook post. “Now, at the age of 88, with a terminal illness and only days to live, his family wanted to put those thoughts at ease … and so did we.”
Commanding Officer Jane MacLatchy with RCMP in Manitoba met with Russell to swear him in as an honorary member of their ranks on Friday. “Jack, we salute you and your incredible dedication to your family,” police said. Credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba via Storyful
