Slain Mountie's Story Reunites Family 52 Years Later

Fifty-two years after RCMP Constable Roger Pierlet was shot and killed on duty in Surrey, a newspaper story brought together people who loved him but had never met.

In 1974, 23-year-old Pierlet was just months away from marrying his fiancée Debby McLachlan when he responded to a call about vandalism at a police station. An 18-year-old seeking revenge against police shot him dead through his car window.

Two officers, Eric LaFoy and Drewe Nelson, chased down the getaway car and arrested the killers. But they never met Pierlet's family or his heartbroken fiancée.

The Ripple Effect

Everything changed when Surrey Now-Leader published a story marking the 50th anniversary of Pierlet's death in 2024. McLachlan, now living in Ontario, shared how much she still missed the man she loved.

LaFoy read the article and used the internet to track down McLachlan and Pierlet's siblings, Nancy and Luke. Many hadn't spoken since the funeral five decades earlier.

In September 2025, they all traveled to Regina, Saskatchewan for the annual RCMP National Memorial Service. McLachlan met Pierlet's brother and sister for the first time since losing him.

"To connect with them by phone and messages was wonderful, but to actually meet them in Regina at the memorial was very special," McLachlan said. She realized she'd lost not just her future husband, but an entire extended family.

LaFoy and Nelson finally met the family of the fellow officer they'd avenged. Stories flowed, tears were shed, and new friendships formed among strangers united by one man's memory.

"None of this would have happened without you publishing that article," LaFoy told the newspaper. "We got along so well, too, even the people who'd never met before. We've all stayed in touch and I'm sure we will forever now."

The group now plans to gather again, keeping Pierlet's memory alive through the connections that bloomed from tragedy.