Bernie Herman has been out on bail since June and is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Year in Review: An RCMP officer is charged with murder

Dec 29, 2021 | 4:00 PM

As 2021 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

The arrest in May of a longtime RCMP officer, and the subsequent charge of first-degree murder was covered by media outlets across the country.

On the evening of May 11, police were called to a densely wooded area near Little Red River Park. It’s there they found the victim’s body— 26-year-old Braden Herman. Bernie Herman was arrested the following day and has been out on bail since June.

The investigation details

Police confirmed that while the victim and the accused shared the same last name and are both from the La Loche area, they were not related.

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Family members described the relationship as a one-time comparison between a father and son, but also mentioned the two men had a falling out.

Bernie Herman, who had nearly 30 years of experience with the RCMP, formally resigned on May 19 and the notice took effect on June 1. Prior to his arrest, he had been working with the traffic services division at the Prince Albert RCMP detachment.

While Bernie Herman was not on duty at the time of the incident, Prince Albert Police Service Insp. Craig Mushka told reporters he left work in full uniform with his duty belt on the day it occurred.

Mushka also said Bernie Herman had phoned a co-worker and made “disturbing” comments that he had killed someone. Bernie Herman was later taken into custody without incident and provided information on where the police could locate the victim.

Braden Herman. (Facebook)

The vigil

A homemade wooden cross, surrounded by flowers, candles, and small, stuffed toys, was set up weeks later at the spot where Braden’s body was found.

Over 30 family members and friends, from various locations across Saskatchewan and Alberta, travelled to the secluded and densely forested area for a short but very emotional vigil.

Rena Lemaigre drove on her own from La Loche to Prince Albert, to say goodbye to the man she considered one of her closest friends.

“On my way here, I was overwhelmed and I was kind of like in shock, knowing what’s gonna happen and where his body was found. It was devastating,” she said.

Brett Herman pays respects to his late brother Braden Herman. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff

What happens next?

A not guilty plea was entered in June and the preliminary hearing was originally scheduled to start the week of Dec. 13th at Prince Albert Provincial Court. Due to a change in lawyers, the hearing was rescheduled for the week of May 30.

A look back at the City’s overall homicides in 2021

Year-to-date, there have been nine homicide files reported by Prince Albert police, and charges have been laid in all but three cases.

The city’s first homicide occurred in early January with the death of Madison Rene Bird.

The 21-year-old from Little Red River First Nation was initially found by police during a traffic stop the previous night in the 1400 block of sixth Ave. W.

Joseph Curtis Madden was later charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled to be tried by judge and jury at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. The dates have not yet been set.

In March, the body of Jeremy Starblanket was found inside a house that had been burned to the ground. The woman charged with second-degree murder, Loretta Sakebow, is scheduled to have her matters spoken to on Jan. 6.

Keiston Robin Custer is alleged to have caused the death of Norman Charles Custer on Saturday, May 22. Police confirmed the victim died from a gunshot wound. The case is still before the courts.

Two days later, 29-year-old Natasha Ross was found at a residence behind the South Hill Mall. The man accused, Cory Clarke, was later arrested at a mining camp in Nunavut and brought back to Prince Albert. The final week in April next year has been set aside for the preliminary hearing.

In June, a deceased male was found lying in the street, in the 1900 block of 14th. St. W. No arrests have been made.

On Aug. 4, 40-year-old Doris Broussie was found at a business in the 3600 block of Second Ave. W. She died in hospital two days later. Two months later, Francine Ballantyne was charged with second-degree murder. The matter is back in court on Jan. 10.

On Sept. 19, police were called to an area near South Hill mall, where they found the body of 25-year-old John Joe Besskkaystare. Two women, Clarissa Campbell and Chandler Laliberte, were later charged with second-degree murder. They both have respective court dates in January.

On October 2nd, police were called to the 700 block of 18th St. W.

Jeremy Wade Charles, 29, was transported to hospital with serious injuries, and later transported to hospital in Regina, where he died. There have been no arrests.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell