On May 22, the Randy Herman Centre for Community Safety was officially opened in Maple Ridge, B.C. The centre will house community safety related services such as community policing, the RCMP Auxiliary Program, District Bylaws Department and the Ridge Meadows Youth Justice Advocacy Program.
Among the guests, which included politicians from all levels of government and high ranking RCMP members, in attendance were Randy’s wife Tammy, his sons Sheldon, (who just entered the RCMP) and Tyler. His mother Tilly, and brother Bill were also in attendance. She was proud of his service.
“He was interested in sports and helped whenever he could,” said Tilly.
Randy was involved in various sporting and community organizations such as Ridge Meadows Baseball, the Kiwanis Club and the RCMP Torch Run for Special Olympics to name a few. He was an initiator of youth liaison programs and took great pride in the RCMP auxiliary program.
His wife Tammy was moved by the dedication.
“Randy would have been flabbergasted learning that a building of any sort was being named after him,” said Tammy. “Our family is honoured by this tribute to Randy’s life of service from the mayor and members of council on behalf of the citizens of Maple Ridge. Community safety, volunteerism, youth work, and crime prevention were very important issues for Randy.”
The Mayor of Maple Ridge, Ernie Daykin, said it is fitting the facility dedicated to the safety of the community will take Randy’s name.
“The level of volunteerism represented in this building is also why naming the facility after Randy is so appropriate. We all know Randy was an outstanding community volunteer in many ways through Kiwanis, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and in several other community based initiatives,” said Daykin. “One of his many awards came from the Meadowridge Rotary Club for his exceptional “service above self” which is the Rotary Motto. Of course Randy’s belief in the power of volunteerism to build a healthy community was never more evident than in the work he did in his role with community policing.”
“It is, therefore, most fitting that we name this place after Randy and continue to tell his story to inspire the police officers and volunteers who follow in his footsteps.”
Originally the area’s provincial courthouse, the building was purchased by the district in 2004 when court services were moved to Port Coquitlam. The renovations totalled $4.65 million. More than 180 volunteers working on community safety initiatives will be working out of this building.
