Former Mountie hailed as hero

OTTAWA, Ontario — The standing ovation began even before Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers entered the Parliament chamber in his black robe, carrying the golden ceremonial mace on his right shoulder.

For more than two minutes, the lawmakers applauded and pounded their desks Thursday for the white-haired former Mountie, hailed as a hero for shooting the gunman who had stormed Canada’s seat of power just a day earlier.

At first expressionless and motionless, the 58-year-old Vickers eventually responded to the ovation with a few slight nods of his head, his lips quivering with emotion.

Later in the session, Prime Minster Stephen Harper lauded Vickers.

“I would be very remiss if I did not conclude in acknowledging specifically the work of the security forces here on Parliament and the great work of our sergeant-at-arms,” he said to more cheers and applause from the members.

Harper then went over to shake Vickers’ hand.

“I am very touched by the attention directed at me following yesterday’s events,” Vickers said in a statement.

“However, I have the support of a remarkable security team,” he added. “Yesterday, during extraordinary circumstances, security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part of this team.”

He said he would have no further immediate comment on the incident while an investigation unfolded.

The gunman who invaded Parliament, identified as petty criminal Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, had been seen by witnesses minutes earlier, fatally shooting a soldier posted at the nearby National War Memorial.