Superintendent Dennis E. Massey - Calgary, Alberta - Police Memorials on Waymarking.com

The Calgary Stampede thanks his wife, Lesley Massey, for her donation of this statue honouring his strong belief in, and commitment to, the community of Calgary.

MASSEY, DENNIS EDWARD
-SUPT. Regimental No. 01540 December 18, 2002-
Calgary, Alberta
Age: 53

Dennis Edward Massey joined the RCMP on September 22, 1969 at the age of 20, eager to fulfill his life long ambition of a career in law enforcement. After completing high school in Winnipeg, Dennis worked for his uncle Ray Anning a former RCMP officer, as a private investigator in Port Hope, Ontario. There he developed a taste for undercover work. After completing recruit field training in 1970 and after his inaugural postings at Vancouver Town Station and Richmond Township detachment, Dennis’s career naturally led to the field of drug enforcement and undercover operations.

In 1973, Dennis began his tour with Vancouver Drug Section where he was quickly recognized for his high energy, high achievement, and excellent leadership in this field. In 1980 he was promoted to Cpl. within Vancouver Drug Section and then transferred to Drug Intelligence Field Operations, as the Undercover Coordinator for E Division. Dennis earned a reputation for his unrelenting effort in leading his team to success during many long-term operations, both in Canada and internationally. He successfully developed working partnerships with many of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as well as those in Colombia, Bermuda, Bahamas, and Hong Kong.

Although the knowledge and expertise Dennis acquired in drug enforcement reinforced his all-consuming commitment to police work, he was equally enthusiastic in his commitment to Vancouver’s ERT team. He joined the Vancouver ERT team in 1979 and ultimately progressed to serve as a National Incident Commander. Those years of training and experience gave him the background necessary to plan the Tactical Operation of the 2002 G8. Throughout his career Dennis was passionately involved in ERT, where member and public safety were considered imperative considerations in any plan.

Earning his commission on December 21, 1989 did not mean hanging up his gun in exchange for managerial responsibilities. Dennis was a street cop through and through, and where there was action, there was Dennis. He believed that he was a police officer, first and foremost; that duty dictated every action in his life. While serving as the A/OIC Red Deer Subdivision, Dennis also served as the ERT Commander with numerous call-outs at all hours of the day and night. In the Royal Oak/Giant Mine Labour Dispute in Yellowknife in 1992, Dennis spent 3 months in Yellowknife as a Commander. The CO of G Division commended him for his expertise and the leadership he had shown during the lengthy and tenuous strike demonstrations. In 2001, Dennis participated in a training seminar with the New York City Airport Law Enforcement Network in 2001, and was instrumental in developing a two-tier training module in Alberta. Operation Pegasus and Operation Quadrant held at the Edmonton International Airport served as the foundation for the development of an operations plan, the first in Canada, for hijacked aircraft intervention. This operational plan was shared with other airports across Canada, and its impact was ascertained on September 11, 2001 when the U.S. suffered terrorists’ attacks. "K" Division was ready to respond to any incident and was one of the first Divisions contacted for assistance when it was thought that a hijacking had taken place in Whitehorse. Because of Dennis’s operational plan, "K" Division now has a team of 150 resources trained and equipped for aircraft intervention.

Supt. Dennis Massey was then assigned the role of Tactical Operations Commander for the G-8 Summit, the largest security planning initiative of its kind in Canada and within the Force. Dennis’s expertise was invaluable in ensuring a very successful summit. In addition to Tactical Operations, Supt. Massey was also instrumental in designing, developing and implementing MEMA-the Major Events Management of Assets program. Dennis envisioned this program as a means to create a greater degree of accountability of human and financial resources for future major events in Canada by creating a comprehensible system for managing, controlling and re-using assets acquired in large-scale government meetings.

Over and above these operational achievements, Superintendent Massey was highly revered throughout his 33 years of service for his tremendous acts of benevolence. Dennis was passionate about giving back to the community that he served. He committed countless hours to organize and to coordinate fund raising opportunities with key charitable organizations such as the Canadian Paraplegic Team, the Alberta Special Olympics, Ronald MacDonald House, the Bone Marrow Society, Word on the Street and National Literacy Fair to name but a few.

In the last ten years Dennis took part in most every major event that the RCMP in Western Canada became involved in, to make his contribution to the success of these ventures. He became a member of the Calgary Stampede family after his tireless hours in the Indian Village, at Morley Detachment and on the grounds. Dennis played a key role in organizing the World Police/Fire Games in Calgary. He proved to be a prolific fund-raiser for the re-enactment of the RCMP March West as well as the Charity Bicycle Race between Houston-Calgary for the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society and the Houston-Fairbanks Ride for the Ronald MacDonald Houses of Calgary and Edmonton. As testament to his outstanding service, Dennis’s personnel file is graced with a myriad of letters of thanks from Senators, Mayors, and thankful citizens whom Dennis had touched. Throughout his service, Dennis received Commendations from the Commissioner, Commanding Officers, and British Columbia Police Commission for his pursuit of excellence.

Superintendent Dennis Massey’s contribution to the RCMP and to Canadians was formally recognized in May 2002 when he was one of the first to be awarded the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada. Dennis gave his heart and soul to policing and community service, displaying an unwavering devotion to his work and to the welfare of the membership.

As fate would have it, a sudden and tragic event on December 18, 2002 called Supt. Dennis Massey to eternal rest. Dennis was traveling along 16 Avenue NW, Calgary, near Bowness Road, when he was involved in an unforeseeable accident with a wayward tanker truck. During impact, the tanker dislodged from the trailer and landed on the police cruiser Dennis was operating. It pinned him in his seat, causing extensive internal injuries. While being freed by emergency personnel, Dennis was conscious and had the presence of mind to warn rescue personnel of ammunition and arms he had in his vehicle, fearing an explosion could occur. This was very typical of Dennis-displaying care, compassion, and commitment to the well-being and safety of others, even in the face of death. Once extracted from the wreckage, Superintendent Dennis Massey was transported to the Foothills Hospital, where he succumbed to injury.