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TIM COOK
The Canadian Press


REGINA - In the same tiny white and red chapel where they were married nearly three years ago, Const. Marc Bourdages's widow bid her husband a heart-wrenching farewell Tuesday.
With the couple's nine-month-old son Luca dressed in red serge to pay tribute to his father, Natasha Szpakowski, an RCMP officer herself, remembered her fallen husband as a newly minted family man who died doing a job he loved.
''Marc and I were living our fairy tale,'' Szpakowski told the 200 mourners who crammed the chapel at the RCMP training depot in Regina and the hundreds more who listened in a drill hall next door.
''Our happily-ever-after has now been interrupted. I know he left this Earth knowing that he was loved and I know he loved us. I know Marc is in a better place now where there is no evil or pain, where there is no sickness or sorrow, and for that I am glad.''
Bourdages, 26, died of head injuries last week after he was shot during a police pursuit July 7 near his detachment of Spiritwood, Sask.
Const. Robin Cameron, 29, was also mortally wounded and predeceased her friend and partner by about two hours.
An area resident, Curtis Dagenais, 41, faces two charges of first-degree murder and one of attempting to murder a third officer who wasn't hurt during an exchange of gunfire.
With a composure that belied her grief, Szpakowski spoke with humour about how she and Bourdages met while she was visiting a friend from her RCMP training class in Lac La Biche, Alta., where he was first based.
They carried on a long-distance relationship before marrying in August 2003.
She recounted their time together, from their marriage to their first posting together in Pelican Narrows, Sask., their move to Spiritwood, the purchase of their first home, and the birth of their son.
''Marc and I didn't want for anything more,'' she said. ''We had a roof over our heads, love in our hearts and a precious son to adore.''
She also recalled the day Bourdages was shot.
''He needed to go in early because he had extra paper work to do and it was going to be a busy weekend,'' Szpakowski recalled. ''Luca, Marc and I did our usual group hugs and kisses and I love yous.''
Hours later Bourdages was in a Saskatoon hospital fighting a battle for his life that he could not win.
RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli's voice cracked as he spoke of the bond the couple shared.
''I don't know if it makes it harder or easier for you that you, too, are a Mountie,'' he said.
''Natasha, it is the terrible burden that you must bear now that Marc is gone. But you will be together again in the unfolding of time and, for now, as you face the hardest of hurdles and the most challenging of duties you have ever taken on, I want you to know that we are here - your family the RCMP.''
Speaking with reporters prior to the service, Zaccardelli pledged that the RCMP will learn from the shootings and apply those lessons to make officers safer in the future.
''But, as great an effort as we put into that, we always know there is the unpredictable out there. There is the randomness of mad people out there.''
Bourdages' brothers, David and Hugo, recalled their childhood days growing up in the family's home town of St. Eustache, Que., and how their baby brother Marc would often tag along.
They also spoke fondly of the man he grew to become.
''You have become this picture of strength and pride,'' they said, speaking in both French and English.
''You fought rightly and honestly for whatever you wanted to obtain. That's why you made such a good police officer.
''We will see you one day, brother, so make a fire and (get) a cold beer.''
As the service wrapped up, Bourdages's flag-draped casket was carried from the tiny church to a waiting hearse.
The flag was folded and given to his widow before the casket was loaded into the vehicle.
Led by three horses, the car drove away silently between two rows of more than 800 police officers who came to pay their last respects.
As the hearse passed, the officers' right hands shot up to their brow in a final salute to their fallen colleague.
Bourdages will be buried Wednesday in the RCMP cemetery at the training depot in a private ceremony. A memorial service is planned for his hometown at a later date.






AP Photo/JEFF MCINTOSH

Mounties march in procession during funeral services for Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Robin Cameron at the Beardy's First Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada on Friday, July 21, 2006.


AP Photo/TROY FLEECE

Mounties march in procession during funeral services for Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Robin Cameron at the Beardy's First Nation, Saskatchewan,Canada on Friday, July 21, 2006.


AP Photo/JEFF MCINTOSH

Nine-month-old Luca Bourdages is carried by a relative following funeral services for his father Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cst. Marc Bourdages at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, Sask., Tuesday, July 25, 2006.

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