Sgt. Kim Hall was remembered as a compassionate and considerate mother, grandmother and police officer who believed in honesty and integrity.
Hall died suddenly last Monday, Jan. 12, two days after experiencing a stroke while visiting family on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. She was 60 years old.
She was remembered at a memorial service at the United Church on Monday, Jan. 19. Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky of the Revelstoke RCMP delivered her eulogy.
“Kim Hall was compassionate, considerate and took things to heart,” he said. “Kim was a good friend, a good person and a loving mother and grandmother.”
Hall was born in Killarney, Manitoba, in 1954. She had three sisters and one brother. According to her sister Janet, her family felt she would always be a police officer due to her habit of always confessing any bad deeds.
“She couldn’t sleep until she confessed,” said Grabinsky, reading a message from Janet. “We always said she’d be a nun or a police officer. Since we weren’t Catholic, well, it speaks for itself.”
Hall and her husband Warren had three children — Carl, Christa and Steve.
In her mid-20s she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an RCMP officer, but it wasn’t easy. On her first try she was told she needed to learn French, so she moved to Quebec with her children and enrolled in a French immersion program.
The second time she applied, she was told she needed more education, so she went back to school for two years. The third time she applied, she was told she needed more consistent work experience, so she got a job and held it for two years.
Finally, on her fourth try, she was accepted into the RCMP and went to depot.
Her first posting was in Terrace, B.C., in 1990. There, she helped found the BC Youth Police Network, a group that works to reduce youth crime.
“Kim first displayed her interest in community policing there and she was known to give everyone the benefit of the doubt,” said Grabinsky.
Her next posting was in Chilliwack, B.C., in 1997. In 2001 she transferred to Gibson, B.C., and two years later she joined the Sunshine Coast general investigation unit.
In 2005, she was promoted to corporal and transferred to Midway, B.C., where she set up a Citizen’s on Patrol network. In 2010, she transferred to the Sea-to-Sky detachment, where she was seconded to the Mount Currie Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police.
In 2011, she came to Revelstoke where she took on the post of sergeant. She was the operations non-commissioned officer here, and for six months was the detachment commander.
“Honest and integrity were important to Kim and the RCMP embodied those values,” said Grabinsky. “She loved being a member of a world class organization that stood for everything she believed in.”
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Our online story on Sgt. Kim Hall’s passing garnered many comments from people who knew her throughout her 25-year career in the RCMP. The following is a selection of memories:
— I was a cub newspaper reporter in Terrace in the ‘90s when Kim was posted there. She just seemed like such a good person and such a credit to the force from the moment her boots hit the ground. I’m not at all surprised by this outpouring of reaction from everywhere she served. ~ Jeff Nagel
— She was a good person and didn’t seem to flaunt her authority when dealing with people. ~ Jean Klinosky
— Hugs and thoughts to the family and friends. Sgt. Kim Hall will be sadly missed She was a good officer and friend. ~ Jeanette Schulmeister
— Kim worked with us at Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service. She was an animal lover, and one time she brought her dog to the Lillooet office. Well, the dog ate a bit of the mouse poison we put out in one area, and she drove with lights and sirens (almost!) to the next town to have her dog taken care of. The dog survived, but Kim never brought it to our office again... Thank you to her family for letting Kim help Tribal Police. Deepest sympathy. ~ Wendy Parker
— Sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues. Kim also oversaw our Mount Currie Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Detachment located near Pemberton, B.C. she was a true leader in my books who implemented her no nonsense attitude in our First Nations Detachment. RIP Kim ~ Kathy Doss
— We are so very saddened to hear this. I can hardly believe this. Kim was a good neighbour of ours in Bonniebrook, Gibsons. We used to look after each others dogs etc… She was a wonderful, funny and caring person. My prayers and thoughts go out to Kim’s family, friends and co-workers. Rest In peace Kim. ~ Jackie Janota-Bzowska
— We extend our condolences to the family. Kim was our next door neighbour in Terrace and we remember her as a wonderful person, mother, and friend. Kim was just starting in the RCMP when she moved in next door and we will never forget how she always saw the best in others even if they were on the wrong side of the law. ~ Bill Glasspell
— My thoughts are with Kim’s family during this difficult time. I have many fond memories of working with Kim in Terrace. Her smile and her enthusiasm is what I remember most about her. She will be missed by many. ~ Tracy Horwood
— We have known Kim since she was a teenager. Her sudden passing was indeed a shock to both of us. Our sincere condolences to her family, especially to Janice, Bonnie, Margie and Greg. We have fond memories of the family during our posting in Killarney. ~ Jerry & Betty Ferguson.
— This is sad news. My condolences to Sgt. Hall’s family. She truly was a good soul, and I learned quickly that she was the very epitome of a Canadian public servant: world class, and dedicated to her duty. I am proud to say I knew her. ~ Geoff Wilson