A Widow's Awakening

The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

Saviour Play about Officer Safety to Hit Centre Stage in September

By Maryanne Pope

On September 29^th, 2000, Cst John Petropoulos of the Calgary Police Service fell to his death during the investigation of a break and enter complaint. John was searching the mezzanine level of a warehouse when he stepped through an unmarked false ceiling and fell nine feet into the lunchroom below. He succumbed to brain injuries later that day. He was 32. 

The call turned out to be a false alarm. There was no intruder in the building; John died protecting a premise that did not need protecting. The subsequent OH&S and police investigations revealed that according to legislation, a safety railing should have been in place. John’s death was not an “accident.” It was the result of a preventable fall at an unsafe workplace.

Shortly after John’s death, several members of his police recruit class started the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) and asked me – his widow – if I’d like to be involved. I said yes. 15 years later, the JPMF is a registered Canadian charity committed to educating the public about why and how to make their workplace safe for everyone, including emergency responders who may have to attend. Please visit www.jpmf.ca to view our safety ads and video. 

After more than a decade in development, my play script, Saviour – about what I imagine John’s reaction to his death would’ve been – is now ready to be staged as a professional production.

In honour of the 15^th anniversary of his death, in September 2015 there will be 3 special performances of Saviour in Calgary, with the goal of raising $100,000 for the JPMF.

For further info about Saviour, including sponsorship opportunities for the Calgary performances or to inquire about having the play staged in your community, please email me at pope.maryanne@gmail.com. 

Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening and the playwright of Saviour. She is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. You can follow Saviour on Twitter at @SaviourPlay.