Page 10 - July 29, 2019
P. 10
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 10 MONDAY JULY 29, 2019 MONDAY JULY 4, 2016 PAGE 2
The First Aerial Police Chase
in Canadian History
Wop May celebration events set for Sept long weekend
It made headlines 100 years ago around the when he approached a man loitering in the area.
province – a young policeman murdered and his Without warning, the man pulled a handgun from
killer still at large. his jacket, fired at the officer and fled.
The story of the pursuit reads like a movie Seriously wounded, Nixon was found by fellow
script, beginning with the tragic murder of a officers and rushed to the hospital, where he was
Edmonton Police Service officer and continuing able to describe the assailant before he died.
with aerial chases, near crashes, escapes, At the age of a29, he was the second Edmonton
manhunts, attempted murder and the eventual Police officer to die in the line of duty.
capture of an extremely bad man.
Join the Edson & District Historical Society in Murderer at large
celebrating the heroes of Canada's First Aerial The ensuing manhunt was of epic proportions,
Police Chase this September long weekend with every available officer (and several of
which will include performances of 'The Flying military men who had served overseas with
Detective,' by Edmonton-based theatre group Nixon) scoured the city looking the likable police
Accidental Humour Co., a community officer's killer.
celebration on Sunday, commemorations and It was soon discovered the alleged murderer,
more! John Larson, had purchased a railway ticket and
Denny May (Wilfrid 'Wop' May's son) and his was fleeing Edmonton and headed to the Coal
family will be joining in for the event. Branch - that is when Police Chief
“Honouring and bringing attention to George Hill made the historic
Canadian heroes is a part of our purpose,” said decision to bring in pilot Wop May
Douglas Woodhouse, EHDS president. to chase the man down.
“The weekend will be full of history and
entertainment. This is an opportunity to connect Historic chase
with an amazing moment in time, celebrate Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' May
Canadian heroes and have some fun.” was a natural choice for the
police chief, as he was a
Policeman Shot skilled decorated WWI pilot
In the early morning hours of Saturday, August whose run-in with the
30, 1919, Constable William Leslie Nixon of the notorious Baron Manfred von
Edmonton City Police - who was back in Canada Richtofen (The Red Baron), in
after serving with distinction in the First World what was to be the Baron's last
War - was walking his beat close to city centre dogfight, made him a well-known
Canadian hero.
Wop's skill and daring and 'low-
flying daredevil antics,' was a featured
attraction in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Wop immediately agreed to fly Detective James
Campbell as close to the Coal Branch as possible
to help catch the alleged murderer.
Incredible story
Finding a place to land in the heavily forested,
hilly area, was extremely difficult and Wop later
stated that the trip was the most hazardous and
dangerous he had taken to date. Startling the
entire town, brave duo landed on First Avenue in
Edson on September 2, 1919.
Curious how the story ends? Tickets are on
sale for The Flying Detective as of July 15. The
Flying Detective premiere takes place at the Red
Brick on August 31, at 7pm with a Gala to
follow at 10pm at the Galloway Station
Museum. There will be live music, flight of
wines, and air plane games. On Sunday,
September 1, there will be a matinee of the play
at 1:30pm and an evening performance at
7:30pm.
The weekend of events will also include a
BBQ with the cast of the Flying Detective on
Friday, August 30. Then on Saturday, August 31,
the Yellowhead County will host a historical
marker dedication ceremony at Robb with free
bussing available. And Sunday, September 1,
will feature a Promenade 1:30pm with a Free
Wop May Day celebration in Centennial Park
with old time games, live music and
refreshments, in partnership with the Town of
Edson.
For more information and tickets contact the
Galloway Museum at (780) 723-5696.
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 10 MONDAY JULY 29, 2019 MONDAY JULY 4, 2016 PAGE 2
The First Aerial Police Chase
in Canadian History
Wop May celebration events set for Sept long weekend
It made headlines 100 years ago around the when he approached a man loitering in the area.
province – a young policeman murdered and his Without warning, the man pulled a handgun from
killer still at large. his jacket, fired at the officer and fled.
The story of the pursuit reads like a movie Seriously wounded, Nixon was found by fellow
script, beginning with the tragic murder of a officers and rushed to the hospital, where he was
Edmonton Police Service officer and continuing able to describe the assailant before he died.
with aerial chases, near crashes, escapes, At the age of a29, he was the second Edmonton
manhunts, attempted murder and the eventual Police officer to die in the line of duty.
capture of an extremely bad man.
Join the Edson & District Historical Society in Murderer at large
celebrating the heroes of Canada's First Aerial The ensuing manhunt was of epic proportions,
Police Chase this September long weekend with every available officer (and several of
which will include performances of 'The Flying military men who had served overseas with
Detective,' by Edmonton-based theatre group Nixon) scoured the city looking the likable police
Accidental Humour Co., a community officer's killer.
celebration on Sunday, commemorations and It was soon discovered the alleged murderer,
more! John Larson, had purchased a railway ticket and
Denny May (Wilfrid 'Wop' May's son) and his was fleeing Edmonton and headed to the Coal
family will be joining in for the event. Branch - that is when Police Chief
“Honouring and bringing attention to George Hill made the historic
Canadian heroes is a part of our purpose,” said decision to bring in pilot Wop May
Douglas Woodhouse, EHDS president. to chase the man down.
“The weekend will be full of history and
entertainment. This is an opportunity to connect Historic chase
with an amazing moment in time, celebrate Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' May
Canadian heroes and have some fun.” was a natural choice for the
police chief, as he was a
Policeman Shot skilled decorated WWI pilot
In the early morning hours of Saturday, August whose run-in with the
30, 1919, Constable William Leslie Nixon of the notorious Baron Manfred von
Edmonton City Police - who was back in Canada Richtofen (The Red Baron), in
after serving with distinction in the First World what was to be the Baron's last
War - was walking his beat close to city centre dogfight, made him a well-known
Canadian hero.
Wop's skill and daring and 'low-
flying daredevil antics,' was a featured
attraction in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Wop immediately agreed to fly Detective James
Campbell as close to the Coal Branch as possible
to help catch the alleged murderer.
Incredible story
Finding a place to land in the heavily forested,
hilly area, was extremely difficult and Wop later
stated that the trip was the most hazardous and
dangerous he had taken to date. Startling the
entire town, brave duo landed on First Avenue in
Edson on September 2, 1919.
Curious how the story ends? Tickets are on
sale for The Flying Detective as of July 15. The
Flying Detective premiere takes place at the Red
Brick on August 31, at 7pm with a Gala to
follow at 10pm at the Galloway Station
Museum. There will be live music, flight of
wines, and air plane games. On Sunday,
September 1, there will be a matinee of the play
at 1:30pm and an evening performance at
7:30pm.
The weekend of events will also include a
BBQ with the cast of the Flying Detective on
Friday, August 30. Then on Saturday, August 31,
the Yellowhead County will host a historical
marker dedication ceremony at Robb with free
bussing available. And Sunday, September 1,
will feature a Promenade 1:30pm with a Free
Wop May Day celebration in Centennial Park
with old time games, live music and
refreshments, in partnership with the Town of
Edson.
For more information and tickets contact the
Galloway Museum at (780) 723-5696.
