Slain officers' families blame justice system

The families of four RCMP officers ambushed and killedsix years ago on a farm near Mayerthorpe, Alta., accused the justice system Fridayof failing their sons.

"The justice systemfailed us many times," said Don Schiemannon the final day of the fatality inquiry lookinginto the events leading up to themassacre.

Schiemann's son, Const. Peter Schiemann, died alongside constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Brock Myrol when James Roszko surprised them on March 3, 2005.

Roszko was a known troublemaker, a violent man with a reputation for hating police. The officers were guarding his farm after discovering a marijuana grow-op and stolen vehicles in a Quonset hut.

Roszko sneaked intothe Quonset under darkness and fatally shotthe four officers. He killed himself after he was hit by return fire.

Roszko's criminal history troubling

Schiemann, the first family member to addressthe fatality inquiry on Friday, saidthere are toomany opportunities for offenders to stickhandle through the justicesystem.

It was most troubling to hear details of Roszko's long criminal history. The failure of the courts to deal with Roszkoculminated in a perfect stormresulting in the officers' deaths, he said. "In my opinion the courts dropped the ball."

He was satisfied, he said,thatofficer safety was considered in how the farm was guarded.

Some people have been left with the impression thatthe officers were young and inexperienced and were sent to their deaths by superiors, Schiemann said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," he said.

Schiemann also talked about his son'shandwritten list of people known to police in the community considered to be dangerous.

"It is chilling to think there may be other James Roszkos out there," he said.

Brock Myrol's mother Colleen agreedRCMP policywas properly followed leadingup to the shootings.

To those who continue to question the officers' abilities, she said, "All I say as a mom back off."

Hennessey, Cheeseman share blame

She pointedthe finger at Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman, who gave Roszkoa rifleand watched him put socks over hisboots in preparing for the ambush. They knew he intended to do harm, she said.

Myrol's father Keith cried as he thanked allthose involved with the inquiry and the witnesses who testified.

He noted the Mayerthorpe detachment had only one rifle.Every detachment should have at least three high-powered rifles, he said.

The officerswere outpowered by Roszko and they need the right weapon for the job, Myrol said.

He also suggestedthe guarding of crime scenes should be handled in a more military fashion. Guards should be guards, he said, andnot responsible for collecting evidenceas well.

Like most family members, Leo Johnston's mother Grace Johnstonspoke about how difficultit was to sit through the weeks of detailed testimony.

Inquiry a difficult time

"I've tried to stay focused through this because it hurts too much not to," she said through tears.

Johnston said she hoped police wouldgetfront and back protective armour and better communications equipment forrural areas.

The inquiry ended Friday.The judge may nowmake recommendations to prevent similar occurrences but is prohibited, under the Alberta Fatality Inquiries Act, from making findings of legal responsibility.

Public hearings held under the act are limited to establishing the cause, manner, time, place and circumstances of death, as well as the identity of the deceased.