MONCTON, N.B. - The pastor of a New Brunswick church where RCMP Const. Dave Ross was a member of the congregation told a service Sunday that it's time for the healing to begin.
Jerry Reddy told the service at Hillside Baptist Church in Moncton that bad things can happen to good people.
He asked everyone to pray for the family, friends and colleagues of the three Mounties killed by a gunman on Wednesday.
"May that healing begin here today," said Reddy, standing in front of a picture of Ross and his wife Rachael on their wedding day. "Our hearts are broken for the lives of those three Mounties who sacrificially died in the line of duty this week.
"Life is a gift to be lived one day at a time."
Ross, 32, was shot and killed after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood of Moncton.
The other two victims were Const. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45, originally of Boulogne-Billancourt in France, and Const. Douglas James Larche, 40, of Saint John, N.B.
Some people could be seen crying during the service and many hugged and consoled each other in the church lobby and parking lot after the service had concluded.
People placed notes of condolences in a basket as three candles dressed in blue ribbons flickered for the fallen RCMP officers.
Reddy said Ross was a special part of the church family and had met his wife in a bible study group there.
"Dave loved life, his family and his faith in God," he said. "There is a renewed sense of gratitude for the members of the Codiac RCMP who do what's necessary everyday to protect you and me."
Larche's wife Nadine issued a statement Sunday saying he was a family man who lived for his three daughters, ages four, eight and nine.
"He was an extraordinary father and husband, loyal and completely selfless," she said. "Doug had a silly sense of humour, one that he would often only reveal to his family and close friends. He was the best person I knew.
"We now begin the impossible task of honouring his memory and mourning his death."
Police from across Canada are expected to attend a parade and regimental funeral service for the three officers on Tuesday at the Moncton coliseum.