Constable Brock Warren Myrol

Of the four fallen Mounties, Const. Myrol was the newest addition to the force.

The 29-year-old Outlook, Saskatchewan native graduated training as valedictorian of his class of 30 cadets in early February.

He was then posted to general policing duties in Mayerthorpe, where he spent just 17 days on the job before being killed.

A black belt in martial arts, Brock also loved to sing. A cousin suggested he try a career in music, but according to a recent profile in the local Mayerthorpe paper, Brock decided to join the Mounties three years ago.

Myrol and his girlfriend Anjila planned to spend five years in Mayerthorpe. He had, in fact, just proposed marriage to her at Christmas.

His family released a statement following the shootings calling on Prime Minister Paul Martin to toughen laws and on parents to teach respect and caring to their children.

"We are a good country. Brock knew that. He loved the RCMP and all it stood for," they wrote. "Canadians are wonderful, caring, loving people. Brock knew that and dedicated his life to preserving that tradition."

His grandmother told the Edmonton Journal that he had wanted to be an RCMP officer since he was a young boy.

"Shortly before he went into training he was all excited," Frances Myrol said.

She said he recognized his job had its risks.

"He felt there was danger in anything you did."

A cadet who trained with him told the Toronto Star that Myrol wanted to work for the RCMP because "he wanted to make a difference."

"He was very into small towns -- he really wanted to be in a small town so he could work more closely with members of the community."