Judge expected to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents
A public inquiry into the killing of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta got underway on Monday. Constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann were killed by James Roszko in a shootout at Rosko’s farm, which had been found to contain marijuana plants, while investigating a vehicle theft. Roszko, who turned the gun on himself after shooting the officers, had a series of prior convictions, including sexual assault. Dennis Keegan Rodney Cheeseman, 23 and Shawn William Hennessey, 28, were initially charged with four counts of first-degree murder, and accused of aiding and abetting Roszko. Both men pleaded guilty to manslaughter, for which they received prison sentences of 12 and 15 years, respectively. The inquiry will be presided over by Chief Judge D.R. Pahl, who will hear from RCMP employees. Under the Alberta Fatality Inquiries Act, the judge may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents, but is prohibited from making any concluding recommendations the legal responsibility of the parties involved.