SAR volunteer mourned by hundreds
Roland Webb, who was also a supervisor at BC Ambulance, died in a pedestrian crash
Roland Webb joined Coquitlam Search and Rescue in 2002.
Photograph by: NOW , file photo
When Sean Webb was injured on the job a few years back as a member of the Vancouver Police Department, the first person he called was his brother, Roland Webb.
Rollie was also there to present his brother with his badge the day he became a police officer.
On Friday, it was Sean's job to eulogize his brother.
"Rollie was directly responsible for saving hundreds of people's lives," Sean said during a touching and emotional 90-minute funeral ceremony.
He added that if he was ever lost or hurt, he'd want his brother to be by his side.
Hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues came out to Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Port Coquitlam for the funeral mass of Roland Webb, who was struck and killed by a dump truck in Anmore on Jan. 17 as he crossed East Road near Hummingbird Drive.
The 37-year-old father of two was a supervisor at BC Ambulance and a member of Coquitlam Search and Rescue.
The funeral drew emergency personnel from all over the province, including paramedics, police officers and firefighters, many of who were wearing black armbands with the word "Rollie" etched across.
A search and rescue helmet and BC Ambulance Service hat were also placed by Webb's casket.
Webb had been a member of Coquitlam SAR since 2002, after stints with Salt Spring Island, Surrey and Lion's Bay search and rescue teams.
He was part of Coquitlam's helicopter rescue team.
During the eulogy, Sean said Rollie was always protective, recalling the time he jumped over the boards during a hockey game to help his brother, who had been knocked out during the play.
He also described Rollie as a devoted father who loved to go on bike rides with his two children, and who was also proud of their involvement in soccer and hockey.
Besides the funeral, a celebration of life was also held on Saturday evening at Buntzen Lake.
A trust fund has been created in the memory of Webb to support the education of his two children, Ethan and Abby.
Members of the public can donate at any TD Canada Trust branch to account #9900-6569004.
The Ambulance Paramedics CUPE Local 873 sent out this tweet following the service Friday: "Today BC Paramedics and Dispatchers remember long time Paramedic and BCAS Manager-Roland Webb - tragic loss for all."
Several tributes to Webb can be found on Coquitlam SAR's website at www.coquitlam-sar.bc.ca and at the Roland Webb Memorial Facebook page.
As for the crash, Coquitlam Mounties are still investigating, but are saying little about a possible cause.
The driver of the truck remained on scene and was co-operating with police.
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