The Mayerthorpe Story: From Ambush to Aftermath

by Robert Knuckle

Through extensive research and interviews, Robert Knuckle takes us from the start of the tragedy on March 2, 2005, through the suspenseful hours as more and more RCMP members arrive at Roszko s farm, the shooting, and the the comments of wives, parents, and friends; the trial of the accomplices; and conclusions.

James Roszko left a huge wave of destruction in his wake, destroying families and sowing disillusionment.

Knuckle unravels the details of all phases of the story, which is one of the most violent and complex tales in the annals of Canadian crime.

300 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ashley Currie · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10 Why didn’t the RCMP do more to search for Roszko or to protect their own from what was to come? They knew Roszko had a combative history with police…. It just seems like these four deaths were avoidable with the knowledge RCMP already had on him. But the author just states there was no way RCMP could have done anything but doesn’t back that claim up with any facts.

The judge states, “It was clear to all present that Roszko was enraged at the police” and “Roszko was known to be volatile” when sentencing the two men who helped Roszko. I just don’t understand how the RCMP couldn’t have seen the same thing prior to these officers being killed. Why wasn’t this Roszko situation taken more seriously by the RCMP?

I do agree that Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman deserve to be punished, but I don’t think their part was worth half the book. Especially considering there was no attention paid to what the RCMP did to track down Roszko, a person known to police to be aggressive towards police officers.

[Amber Hennessey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many many many inconsistencies and lies..

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but no new information.