Hundreds lined the streets of Dartmouth as the sound of drums rang out in Const. Heidi Stevenson’s Honour.
After two years of pandemic delays, a Regimental Memorial was held Wednesday afternoon for Stevenson, who was one of 22 people killed during the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting.
Some held flowers, some wept, others stood silently watching the pipe band march by.
Peter Magwood and his partner, Brenda came out to grieve the loss of Stevenson. Photo: Anastasia Payne
Peter Magwood, a veteran, was one of those people.
He and Stevenson met when she and another officer responded to the call of his wife’s sudden death. The pair stayed with him for six hours, cracking police jokes to cheer him up. They even had him laughing at one point, he says.
The pair met again at a Remembrance Day ceremony; Stevenson thanked Magwood for his service — and he for hers.
“On April 20, 2020, I saw that Heidi Stevenson was killed in the line of duty and my heart broke again,” Magwood says, weeping. “I’m here to remember her — and hopefully get better.”
After the uniformed procession marched Forest Hill Parkway, from St. Vincent de Paul Church to Cole Harbour Place, a private ceremony was held for those who knew Stevenson best.
Tragedy strikes Nova Scotia
On the Morning of April 19, 2020, Stevenson was providing backup to an officer in the Shubenacadie area of Central Nova Scotia.
A lone gunman driving a replica RCMP cruiser had already shot over a dozen people, starting in the small town of Portapique, moving toward Truro, then Halifax.
The gunman shot one of Stevenson’s fellow officers.
As she rushed to the scene, the shooter crashed his vehicle into her patrol car.
Investigations showed Stevenson and the man exchanged gunfire, fragments of her bullet hitting the side of his head.
Stevenson was fatally shot.
Hundreds marching in a Regimental Memorial for Const. Heidi Stevenson in Dartmouth this afternoon. Stevenson was one of 22 people killed in the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting. pic.twitter.com/fBEChJzwi2
— Anastasia Payne (@Stasi_Payne) June 29, 2022
Who was Heidi Stevenson?
The Antigonish native lived in Cole Harbour with her family: husband, dean and their two children, Connor and Ava. She was 49 when she died.
Constable Heidi Stevenson. Photo: RCMP.
Stevenson is remembered as the neighbour who said hello to everyone; a busy parent volunteering at school; a friend; a gentle smile for those who needed it.
At the private service following her regimental memorial, Angela McKnight spoke fondly of Stevenson’s compassion.
“True, genuine, nothing-in-it-for-me kindness like Heidi’s is rare,” she said through tears.
Stevenson graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Science in 1993 – but not before her campus security job ignited her passion for policing.
During her time with the RCMP Stevenson held numerous positions and was involved in the RCMP’s Musical Ride.
