A 20-year military veteran escorting the body of Private Steven Allen - the soldier who died of injuries sustained during a military training exercise in Wainwright, Alberta - was pulled over and given a ticket by Victoria police while part of his funeral procession.
The police reportedly issued Debbi Ferguson a ticket for $230 because her license plate was obstructed.
“Her car had a flag at half mast and her four-way flashers were on,” CBC News said. “Her first thought when the officer pulled in behind her and flashed his lights was that the officer was going to help the motorcade.”
Instead, the officer yelled into his microphone for Ferguson to pull over.
“He shouted out on his microphone to pull over immediately,” Ferguson said. “We were just in shock.”
She continued,
“We were already in an emotional state and it was Remembrance Day. It’s hard on all of us veterans and soldiers that a fellow man at arms would pull me over and pull me out of this escort.”
Ferguson told CBC that when she had explained to the Victoria police officer about the funeral procession, “he told her he didn’t care” and gave her the ticket anyway. Absolutely appalled by the actions of this officer, she said,
“I looked at him and I’m like I am sorry this is the most disrespectful thing I have seen anyone do.”
The Victoria Police Department agreed.
A spokesperson released a statement that the report of a ticket being issued by the officer given the situation was “regrettable.”
"We recognize that this report of a ticket being issued to fellow community members volunteering their time to see a compatriot home is regrettable. This is especially true on a day when many members of our community, including many VicPD officers, were paying our own respects to the fallen."