By Canadian Press

Petition calls for high school name change for RCMP officer killed in rampage

Apr 27, 2020 | 9:49 AM

HALIFAX — An online campaign has begun seeking to change the name of a Nova Scotia high school to honour the RCMP officer killed during last week’s shooting rampage that claimed 22 lives in the province.

A petition is calling for Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth to be renamed for Const. Heidi Stevenson.

As of noon today, it had already gathered more than 7,400 names.

The 48-year-old Stevenson was killed in a confrontation with the gunman, who was driving a mock police car and wearing an RCMP uniform.

Her union has described Stevenson as a hero for her actions in trying to stop the killer.

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Education officials had previously held discussions about a name change when a sex scandal involving Prince Andrew erupted last fall.

No timeline was given at the time for any potential action around changing the school’s name.

“We should honour her and her memory by having her name forever in our community,” the petition says of Stevenson. “With the school board already reconsidering the name of Prince Andrew High School, this would be the opportune time to name one of our community schools after a real hero.”

The petition is asking the Halifax Regional School Board and the Nova Scotia Department of Education to consider changing the name to Constable Heidi Stevenson High School.

 This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2020.

The Canadian Press