Bio: Joe Stochmanski

Bio Joe Stochmanski- 2024

I and Gail are both retired from our careers, and have resided at Montrose B.C. in our home for the last 34 years.

After graduation in 1971, I started my R.C.M.P. career in October of that year by attending the R.C.M.P. Academy, Depot Division in Regina Saskatchewan. I successfully completed an extensive 26 week training program and was posted to Coquitlam R.C.M.P. detachment in Coquitlam B.C. What an eye opener for a farm boy going to the big city. I still remember driving over the Port Mann bridge and saying to myself “Holy Crap, this is where I am going to work!” During my time in Coquitlam I was assigned to Premier W.A.C.Bennett’s election campaign security detail. After the six month field training program I was transferred to Surrey Detachment.

Surrey Detachment is the R.C.M.P.’s largest detachment in Canada. Even in the 70’s Surrey was a rough place with Hells Angels making it their home. During the time in Surrey I had the opportunity to travel to and assist the police in the USA with questioning individuals in Polish. One particular case I was successful in breaking a North American sex trafficking ring.

I learned quickly how dangerous Police work can be when on March 1974 Cst. Roger Pierlet was shot and killed in Surrey on my shift.

June 1976 I was assigned to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s security detail while he was attending Vancouver for the United Nationals Conference on Human Settlements. September 1976 I was part of the R.C.M.P. riot team that attended to quell the largest major incident in B.C. penitentiary’s history. Prisoners took guards hostages and after several days of rioting B.C. Penitentiary in New Westminster was completely destroyed.

March 1975 I married Gail Vikanes a Registered Nurse from Osoyoos B.C. and we are approaching nearly 50 years of marriage- how time flies.

June 1978 I was transferred to Creston Detachment, Creston B.C. What a change in Policing from Surrey. I had to learn the hard rock policing style in Surrey didn’t apply to Creston. Creston is where our two children were born. Our daughter Laura was born December 1978 who with her family resides in Coquitlam B.C. after moving from Sao Paulo Brazil. She and her husband have two sons, Lucas 12 years old and Victor 8 years old. Laura is part of management for Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority. Our son Shawn was born Feburary 1982. He and his wife are Psychiatrists in Montreal Quebec.

Expo 86 in Vancouver during Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s visitation to the event I was part of their security detail.

November 1989 I was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Trail Detachment in Trail B.C.

September 1993 I was transferred as commander in charge of Fruitvale Detachment, Fruitvale B.C. February 1999, a U.S. wanted felon failed to stop at the border crossing at Creston B.C. The result was a high speed chase into Canada with a road block and a shoot out with pursuing officers in Fruitvale. After his conviction and stint in prison he was brought back to San Francisco to be tried for the offences that led his flight into Canada. I testified in his trial in San Francisco court in which he received 53 1/2 years in prison.

2002 Fruitvale Detachment was amalgamated with Rossland and Trail detachment. I spent 4 years at the New Detachment and April 2007 after 35 1/2 years I retired as a regular member of the R.C.M.P.

August 2007 I was sworn back in, this time as a R.C.M.P. Reservist. I worked with the B.C. R.C.M.P. Highway Patrol Road Safety Unit. I travelled and worked in areas like the Kootenay National Park out of Radium to the Alberta border, all of the Kootenays and up towards Kelowna. While on the unit during a traffic stop at Midway B.C. I arrested two individuals who possessed 2.6 million dollars of Ecstasy.

2010 Winter Olympics Vancouver B.C. I was part of the Olympic Athlete's Buses Security Detail for the buses travelling on the freeway to various venues.

October 2016 after 45 years of policing it was time hang up the gun belt. In my career I saw many changes. Some of note include:

- males only

- couldn’t get married for the first 3 years of service

- 1974 females were allowed to join the R.C.M.P.

- 1975 married individuals joined the R.C.M.P.

In all the years in Policing I enjoyed the small communities best of all as you become part of the community itself. I had a fulfilling career helping people. I am not fully retired though as I still continue to do business audits for C.I.B.C.

As a family we enjoyed vacations at Osoyoos Lake, Vancouver Island, Waterton National Park USA and Canada, Disneyland and Disney world, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, and Florida.

Volunteering was and is a large part of my life. Many years with Kinsmen service club, Rotary International and travelling to various world conferences with my wife, and hosting a number of Rotary International exchange students.

I belong to B.C. Search and Rescue holding various positions. My favourite parts flying in a helicopter and Jet Boat operations.

I was also involved in various fund raisers. The largest fundraiser raised $30,000 to have my head shaved to raise funds for a cancer lodge benefiting our local community.

I remain active on the committee for selecting citizen of the year for my community, and do Red Serge Duties at Remembrance Day services.

Hobbies include gardening, repairing things that break down, daily coffee and treat breaks with my wife at Tim Horton's, and trying to behave myself.

Memories:

- Fond memories of Leask, growing up on the farm

- Going to Evergreen School and transferring to Leask School

- Having Mary Stocker waving a yard stick chasing me around the classroom during French class. Principal John Kalmakoff heard the commotion and entered the classroom which ended my future learning of the French language.

- Mainly the memories of the friends gained during that time in Leask.

Unfortunately due to other commitments I am unable to attend the reunion, and pass my best regards to everyone attending.