As tributes pour in for the three officers killed in the Moncton, N.B., shootings, the RCMP still on the hunt for the suspect gunman have yet to release their identities, including one described as having three children.
Police are still hunting for the 24-year-old man suspected in the shootings.
They are also in the process of notifying the next of kin and family members of the officers who were killed or wounded, Roger Brown, RCMP assistant commissioner, told a news conference Thursday morning.
But Brown said he had met with some of the family members in the morning.
"As you can well imagine, they're hurting. There's actually no way to describe the level of hurt," Brown said.
Brown added that the focus of this incident needs to be brought back to the families of the officers killed or wounded.
"We have one of our members with three children. And you know, these are, these are real-life situations," he said.
The two wounded officers were in surgery Thursday, but their injuries are not considered life threatening.
Codiac RCMP Supt. Marlene Snowman told the news conference that officers were dispatched after receiving a call Wednesday afternoon about a man on a Moncton road who was believed to have a firearm.
She said the shooting occurred while the gunman was on the road, and when he moved into the woods.
[The shooting] occurred over a period of time, a short period of time," she said.
RCMP Const. Damien Theriault said on CBC's Information Morning in Moncton that he had "lost three friends," but that "we are professionals and we have a job to do right now. We will have time to grieve after."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the shootings are "a stark reminder that our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line in Canada every day to protect our citizens and communities."
Gov. Gen. David Johnston said RCMP officers may "understand the risks that come with the uniform, but always defend our communities with bravery and courage.
"Today, we remember the sacrifice of these three officers, a tragic loss we all feel," he said.
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson offered his thought and prayers "with the families of our fallen members."
"We are making sure that families and members are taken care of."