A municipal peace officer killed Aug. 10 in Alberta served as an RCMP member in Mission in the 1980s, and is being remembered as an exceptional Mountie and great friend.
Mission’s Paul Curtis worked as an RCMP officer with Rod Lazenby in the early to mid-1980s, he told The Record.
“He was very much a team player and would always have your back,” he said.
After retiring from the force, Lazenby moved to Alberta and worked for the Municipal District of Foothills. He was called to a rural property in Priddis, located north of Calgary, to investigate a report of numerous dogs on a ranch.
Police allege an altercation took place at the property and that Lazenby was physically assaulted.
Once he arrived at a Calgary hospital, he was pronounced dead.
“Family meant a lot to him,” said Curtis. “He wasn’t the kind of guy who caused grief. Nothing justifies [this death]. It’s hard to understand,” said Curtis. “It brings a real sickening feeling.”
According to the RCMP’s Veterans’ Association website, Lazenby joined the force Jan. 20, 1976 and retired Jan. 21, 2006. He is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.
Trevor Kloschinsky, 46, is in police custody has been charged with first-degree murder.