Magical.

That was one of the few words the widow of a fallen Ridge Meadows Mountie could find to describe a ball hockey tournament that was held in her late husband害羞草研究所檚 honour this past weekend.

The Cst. Rick O害羞草研究所橞rien害羞草研究所檚 Joint Forces Ball Hockey Memorial Jamboree raised thousands of dollars to help break down barriers for local youth in sport while bringing youth and law enforcement together to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

The inaugural event took place on Saturday, pitting teams of local youth against first responders 害羞草研究所� a vision that O害羞草研究所橞rien had in life, and that will now be carried on by his widow, Nicole Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien, following his death.

O害羞草研究所橞rien was one of several officers executing a search warrant at a residence in Coquitlam last year when there was an exchange of gunfire. O害羞草研究所橞rien was killed and two other officers were injured in the incident. The person they exchanged gunfire with was also injured.

Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien said she was moved by the sheer amount of people from the community who showed up to celebrate her late husband害羞草研究所檚 legacy May 25.

Registered in the event were 165 youth from the age of six to 18 years, 65 police officers, and 16 firefighters 害羞草研究所� all of whom formed 16 teams. Coaches included members of the Vancouver Giants, the Langley Rivermen, and the Coquitlam Express.

害羞草研究所淚 had a vision for this event and this exceeds it,害羞草研究所� said Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien. 害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think I can wipe the smile off of my face today because this is a reflection of how much love there is for Rick. It害羞草研究所檚 blown me away.害羞草研究所�

O害羞草研究所橞rien, was only 51 at the time of his death, and had been a police officer for seven years, all of those years with the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment. The father of six was well known for his work with youth, in addition to being a beloved coach in Langley, where he lived with his family. The Langley Rams junior football team and Langley Rivermen Junior A hockey team were among the sports organizations that honoured him when he died.

Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Wendy Mehat delivered the opening speech at Saturday害羞草研究所檚 event.

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害羞草研究所淩ick dedicated his life to serving our community and his love for children is unparalleled,害羞草研究所� said Mehat, pointing out Const. O害羞草研究所橞rien害羞草研究所檚 deep love of hockey, and noting he would have been so happy to have people celebrate his life with a ball hockey tournament.

Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien says she still maintains a connection with her late husband, as they were very spiritual believers, and that he was absolutely thrilled about the jamboree.

害羞草研究所淚 feel like I heard him say, 害羞草研究所楾his was so amazing.害羞草研究所� He loved every aspect of it and he was really proud of me,害羞草研究所� said Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien.

More than $85,000 has been raised so far, not including any money raised on the day of the actual event. All funds raised will be going to the Cst. Rick O害羞草研究所橞rien Joint Forces Foundation, the society Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien created in her husband害羞草研究所檚 memory.

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Some of the money went to purchasing equipment for the jamboree, to cover the fees and food for children who couldn害羞草研究所檛 afford to register, to eliminate any barriers in the way of any child who wanted to participate.

Other funds will be going to other smaller, inclusive programs throughout the year, explained Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien, like a yoga class led by a police officer, and more activities. Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien already hinted that there is more exciting news coming, which she will be sharing with the community in the future.

For now, with the inaugural tournament being such an overwhelming success, Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien said, she害羞草研究所檚 already looking forward to hosting it again next year.

害羞草研究所淲e are hoping to put May 24 and 25 aside for next years event,害羞草研究所� she said, noting that she couldn害羞草研究所檛 have put on the jamboree without her legacy team from the RCMP and the City of Maple Ridge.

害羞草研究所淚t was very much part of my healing journey,害羞草研究所� added Longacre-O害羞草研究所橞rien, who is hoping the jamboree will some day become a two-day event hosted in other cities as well.

For more information, people can go to: .

RESULTS:

害羞草研究所� Game 1, ages 6-8, The Serge 2 vs. The Pulse, 7-4 final score for The Serge 2

害羞草研究所� Game 2, ages 9-11, The Blues vs. The Blazers, 9-5 final score for The Blues

害羞草研究所� Game 3, ages 6-8, The Serge vs. The Blues, 3-1 final score for The Serge

害羞草研究所� Game 4, ages 6-8, The Blues 2 vs. The Blazers, 2-4 final score for The Blazers

害羞草研究所� Game 5, ages 6-8, The Serge 2 vs. The Blues 2, 2-1 final score for The Serge 2

害羞草研究所� Game 6, ages 9-11, The Serge vs. The Blazers, 5-4 final score for The Serge

害羞草研究所� Game 7, ages 6-8, The Blazers vs. The Blues, 6-4 final score for The Blazers

害羞草研究所� Game 8, ages 6-8, The Serge vs. The Pulse, 4-5 final score for The Pulse

害羞草研究所� Game 9, ages 9-11, The Pulse vs. The Blues, 3-3 final score

害羞草研究所� Game 10, ages 15-18, The Serge vs. The Blues, 9-2 final score for The Serge

害羞草研究所� Game 11, ages 9-11, The Serge vs. The Blues, 2-11 final score for The Blues

害羞草研究所� Game 12, ages 12-14, The Serge vs. The Pulse, 5-4 final score for The Serge

害羞草研究所� Game 13, ages 12-14, The Blazers vs. The Pulse, 9-9 final score

害羞草研究所� Game 14, ages 15-18, The Serge vs. The Blues, 6-8 final score for The Blues

害羞草研究所� Game 15, ages12-14, The Blazers vs. The Serge, 8-8 final score

害羞草研究所� Game 16, ages 12-14, The Pulse vs. The Blues, 4-13 final score for The Blues