Officers were told to watch for Roszko

A member of the RCMP "green team" that responded tothe grow-op on James Roszko's farm near Mayerthorpe, Alta.,was told to be aware thatRoszko hadn't been apprehended and might return.

The officer, Cpl. Lorne Adamitz, testified inStony PlainThursday at the fatality inquiry looking into Roszkos ambush and murder of RCMP constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann on his property on March 3, 2005.

Adamitz arrived at the farm with other team members at about 12:30 a.m. March 3. He was given a quick assessment of situation by Cpl. James Martin and was told to be on the lookout for Roszko, he told the inquiry.

"He's a little bit of a wingnut, He's unpredictable. Just keep your head up," Adamitz said he was told.

Adamitz said the term "wingnut" didnt ring any alarm bells, because it was common description used by police.

'Strong police presence'

He told the hearing the farm had a "strong police presence."

Officers foundmarijuana-growing operations in a bedroom and in the Quonset. Adamitz described them as"highly sophisticated soil grows." He saidsoil-grows are considered the bottom tier of grow-ops.

Whilehe didn't see any weapons in his search, he saw an unattachednight vision scope.

After RCMP called the power company out to the farmto help dismantle the grow-op, they left at 2:40 a.m.

Two officers were left behind to secure the scene so the auto-theft unit could come in the morning, he said.

"I do recall Brock Myrol, and they had called a member from Whitecourt to facilitate that purpose."

When asked ifefforts were made to find Roszko, he responded, "I was aware that prior to our arrival, efforts had been made."

Grace Johnston, mother of Const. Leo Johnston,asked Adamitz if he thought it waspossible Roszkoslipped back in the Quonset between 1and 3 a.m.

"Could he have slipped into the Quonset? Absolutely not," he replied.

The Quonset was a hub of activity, he said.

Exchange of gunfire

Later in the day, the inquiry heard froma member of the auto-theft unit who arrived at thescene later in the morning.

Const. Garrett Hoogestraatwas outside theQuonset when he heardan exchange of gunfire.

After running to his vehicleto call 911,he yelledat the building, asking the suspect to surrender so the downed officerscould get medical attention.

He said he heard no response.

When asked what he could see, Hoogestraat'svoicecracked and he paused. He was asked if he needed a moment.

He declined beforeresponding: "You could seea member's legs at the entranceway to the door."

There was no movement, Hoogestraat said.

The inquiry is scheduled to run at the Stony Plain courthouse until Feb. 1. Public hearings held under the Alberta Fatality Inquiries Act are limited to establishing the cause, manner, time, place and circumstances of death, as well as the identity of the deceased, police said.

The judge may make recommendations to prevent similar occurrences but is prohibited, under the act, from making findings of legal responsibility.