A new memorial honouring the lives of 66 people who died while working in protective services was unveiled in Regina on Saturday. The Saskatchewan Protective Services Memorial, a permanent tribute recognizing courage, service, and sacrifice, is now fully constructed just east of the Saskatchewan Legislative building. “I think it says to all the families and friends of the fallen is that we will never forget,” Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre said. “We are so grateful for their service and everything they gave for our protection. I think it says to the people of Saskatchewan, we will remember them and we honour them always.” Located in front of the six different pieces is a figure symbolizing a helping hand. “As somebody with 26 years in law enforcement, the hand reaching down, it’s really impactful because it reminds us that our primary role as first responders is to help those in society who can’t help themselves,” said Chief Robert Duttchen of the Corman Park Police Service. Candace Curle comes from a family of protective service members. Her father was a police officer, and her son is a firefighter. Her brother, Robbie J.N. Curtis, was a paramedic, but took his own life in 2018 after a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. “I watched my brother struggle for over a decade to fight to have his illness heard and recognized,” Curle said. “Unfortunately, he died before that happened, but to have his occupational stress injury recognized as a line of service duty and be honoured in that way, means so much to my dad and I.” Curle said the emotional toll of being in the line of duty can often be overlooked. “We need to be aware of those dangers to be able to protect and ensure that that damage doesn’t happen and that loss of life doesn’t occur,” she said. Curle’s family established the Robbie Curtis Memorial Scholarship in memory of her brother that’s awarded to a paramedic who shares the same commitment to their job and future education. Of the 66 names listed, the first one goes back to 1905 – the same year Saskatchewan became a province.
