A Legacy of Service: RCMP Corporal Culminates Career with Son

Corporal Madonna Saunderson, a longstanding member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has wrapped up her 38-year service by fulfilling a personal milestone: working alongside her son, Constable John Saunderson. In a statement released by the Terrace RCMP, Cpl. Saunderson expressed her desire to “work a shift with my son” before stepping into retirement.

Cpl. Saunderson’s journey with the RCMP began in 1986 when she joined the force and was first stationed in Prince George. Her career path took a pioneering turn when she became the first female police officer posted at the Fraser Lake detachment in 1991, according to official records. Her role in Fraser Lake lasted seven years, during which she also met her future husband.

By 1998, Saunderson had returned to Prince George, now with her husband and children, where she served in traffic services for an additional 18 years. During this tenure, she advanced from Constable to Corporal, ultimately assuming the role of road supervisor for the provincial team. After three decades of uniformed and shift work, she shifted to a communications role as the media relations officer for the North District, yet continued to be based in Prince George.

The influence of a trailblazing career extended to her children; in 2023, her son John Saunderson embarked on his own RCMP journey by attending depot training in Regina. He was assigned his first post in Terrace in January 2024. On October 7, the duo patrolled the streets of Terrace together, marking a symbolic passing of the torch from mother to son.

“I am very proud of John and wish him every success as he follows his dream just as I did all those years ago,” stated Cpl. Saunderson. “It was an honor and pleasure to work a shift with him,” she added, reflecting on the significance of their shift in reinforcing both familial bonds and professional legacies.

This day stands as a testament to Cpl. Saunderson’s commitment to law enforcement and her hopes for her son’s future in upholding the values of the RCMP. As Cpl. Saunderson moves towards retirement, her history with the RCMP continues to serve as an inspiration for those considering a career in policing.