Murder charge laid in death of RCMP officer in Wolseley

Two people charged in the death of an Indian Head RCMP officer in June are facing new charges.

Manslaughter charges laid against Alphonse Stanley Traverse and Marlene Velma Louise Pagee have been withdrawn and replaced. Traverse now faces one count of first-degree murder, while Pagee is facing one count of accessory after the fact to murder.

The other charges they previously faced are still in place. Both Traverse and Pagee have been in custody since their arrests.

“The words ‘investigation is ongoing’ often accompanies many of our public statements,” Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, said in a media release.

“Since June 12, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit North investigators have remained committed to the investigation into the death of Const. Shelby Patton. This includes conducting further witness interviews and completing forensic examinations.

“As the result of continuous work and consultation with Crown Prosecution, the adult male is now charged with one count of first-degree murder.”

On June 12, Patton was in Wolseley to investigate a report of a stolen pickup truck from Manitoba. The 26-year-old Mountie was struck and killed by the truck as it attempted to flee the scene.

Traverse and Pagee were arrested shortly after the crash.