Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has issued the following statement on the 10-year anniversary of the line-of-duty passing of Sheilah Sweatman, ground search-and-rescue volunteer:

“Exactly 10 years ago today, on June 29, 2011, British Columbia’s search-and-rescue community lost one of their own when Nelson Search and Rescue’s Sheilah Sweatman tragically lost her life during a search-and-recovery call on the Goat River near Creston.

“Her passing was the first line-of-duty death of a ground search-and-rescue volunteer in British Columbia, and I would like to pass along my thoughts to her family, friends and colleagues who are remembering her on this day.

“Though 10 years have passed, the impact of Sheilah’s work remains in the lives of all those she assisted. For her colleagues in the search-and-rescue community, the memory of her dedication and her sacrifice lives on.

“I want to take a moment to honour Sheilah, who was willing to put herself at risk as a search-and-rescue volunteer to save the lives of strangers. Sheilah volunteered her time to help those whose lives were in danger and made the ultimate sacrifice. That sacrifice is a stark reminder of the risks our search-and-rescue volunteers face every day.

“Today, I would like to honour the memory of Sheilah Sweatman. Her dedication serves as an inspiration to all of us, and her commitment to B.C.’s search-and-rescue community leaves us all forever in her debt.”

Learn More:

More information on Sweatman can be found on the BC Search and Rescue Association’s web page: https://www.bcsara.com/entries/sheilah-sweatman/