Lake Simcoe Memorial
A Sad Date to Remember
The date June 08, 2008 marks the 50th Anniversary of a tragic day in the history of the RCMP. It was in 1958 that 5 members drowned near Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe in Ontario.
Late in the evening of June 07, 1958 Cpl. Herbert Smart, Cpl. Maurice Melnychuk, Cst. Glen Farough, Cst. David Perry and Cst. George Ransom boarded a 14' RCMP outboard motor boat. According to Supt. John Thrasher, Commanding Officer in Toronto, the 5 officers were on a routine patrol of the lake, but according to press reports at the time the RCMP officers were understood to have been going to check on illegal drinking and disorderly conduct reported at a wedding on Georgina Island Reserve.
It is known that after midnight that fateful night, a sudden and violent electrical storm swept across the lake. When the patrol was known to be missing, a search was undertaken. At mid-day on June 08, 1958 the police boat was discovered in the middle of the lake floating upside-down.
In the following days all 5 bodies of the officers were found and recovered. It is speculated that the officers were caught in this unexpected squall and that perhaps the boat was caught broadside and the officers were thrown into the lake. Whatever happened must have come without much warning, as although there were life jackets in the boat, they were not being worn.
Justice Minister Fulton spoke in the House of Commons on June 12, 1958. He told the Commons that no one will ever be able to say with certainty what caused the tragedy.
The RCMP at Toronto North Detachment held a 50 year Memorial Service at Newmarket, Ontario on Saturday, 07 June 2008.
| Reg. # | Name | Cemetery | City and Province | Honour Roll |
| 14588 | Cpl. Herbert Smart | Maplewood Cemetery | Windsor, NS | #92 |
| 19469 | Cst. Maurice Melnychuk | Prince George, BC | #93 | |
| 19478 | Cst. Glen Farough | Glenbow Cemetery | Stockton, MB | #94 |
| 19879 | Cst. David Perry | Forest Lawn Cemetery | North Burnaby, BC | #95 |
| 19915 | Cst. George Ransom | Melville, SK | #96 |
