RCMP Special Constable Peter Benjamin This page is dedicated to the family of the late Peter Benjamin 1929 - 1984.

Researched and Written by Kimberly Blake. Page design and HTML by Kimberly Blake. Kimberly spent the summer (2004) working in the VGFN Information Systems Department while on a break from college.

The information and photos for this article were collected from the Yukon Archives and from the family of Peter Benjamin.

Peter Benjamin

Peter Benjamin was born at Johnson Creek village on January 8,1929. He was adopted by Martha Charlie of Old Crow, who raised Peter at Johnson Creek village and then settled in Old Crow. As a young man Peter met and married Martha Frost of Old Crow. Together they had seven children and one adopted, Nita, Sharon, Earl, Allen, Tommy, Bobby, Ronald and Jason (adopted). Peter was a very loving and caring dad to his children whom he adored and did everything for. Peter worked for the RCMP for many years. Then in 1955 Peter was hired as an RCMP guide and interpreter. He worked very closely with the RCMP for years after. Peter worked very well as a Special Constable and got along with all the people of Old Crow. In return the people worked well with Peter.

Pictured right, Peter prepares a meal at the RCMP cabin. Most charges layed by the RCMP were alcohol related although the crime rate was very low in those days. Peter assisted in many call outs in the community and out on the land miles away.

During Peter's work as a Special Constable he would, twice a year, pack two dog sleds full of mail and medical supplies and begin his journey that would take him from Old Crow to Fort McPherson, then to Aklavik and Inuvik, over to Herschel Island and finally back to Old Crow.

Pictured left, Peter and Const. Warren setting tent. Special Cst. Benjamin did these long journeys 11 times by dog team. Sometimes Peter would take another constable and maybe a local person from Old Crow. During these trips, Peter would stop in and visit people who he hadn't seen in many months as well as deliver messages and supplies. Peter sometimes would be gone for 30 days at a time with his job. A long time to be away from your young family in those years. On these treacherous trips Peter would be in front of the dog teams on snowshoes breaking trail, a very hard and physical job to do.

In the summer of 1965 Peter was preparing meals for the sled dogs on the bank of the Porcupine river, when something happened that would change his career as a Special Constable. While preparing his trusty sled dog's meals, an explosion occured that burnt both of Peter's legs. Severely burnt, Peter had to be hospitalized for many months but this didn't stop Peter's determination to return back to his family and to his duties with the force. Not long after, Peter was working as hard as he did before.
Pictured left, Peter on Patrol with RCMP dog team. In 1969 Special Cst. Peter Benjamin made his final patrol, accompanied by 23 year old Cst. W.W. Townsend. The two dog teams left Old Crow onto the cold quiet rugged land on Tuesday March 11, 1969 to make the last patrol of the Northern settlements before the RCMP converted entirely to snow machines and aircraft. The first four days out were miserable with stormy weather conditions. By Thursday the two men covered 51 miles through blowing snow conditions and low temperatures. They rested in the patrol cabin on the Porcupine River all day Friday and on Saturday left to continue onto Fort McPherson.

Pictured left, Cst's Townsend and Benjamin preparing sleds for last patrol. Never looking back to wonder what the mysterious rugged land had to hold for the two or even thinking if they would make it all the way, Peter was a determined person who knew how to travel the north land. The constables arrived on March 22, 1969 at about 10 p.m. in Fort McPherson crossing over the magnificent Richard Mountains onto the frozen Mackenzie River. During their trip they would make two stops at Fort McPherson for rest for themselves and their dogs.

On their way back the Aklavik portion of the trip was cut from their journey due to poor weather conditions. After the two men reached Arctic Red River they headed through the Richardson Mountains back to Old Crow. The two constables covered many exhausting miles in severely low temperatures and high winds that sometimes kept them from going any further. They would set camp and wait out the terrible weather. The temperatures dropped as low as -41 below zero. In these days the weather conditions were extremely cold. From March 20-21 the men were held up in camp by high winds which tore loose their tent at 4 a.m. Tired, the two men had to get out into the cold to reset the tent in the blizzard winds.

At one point of the trip the dogs suffered from cuts on their feet from icy trails and one had to be destroyed during the patrol. They had to go through overflow water on the ice, then had to set the dogs loose to find their way down a dangerous precipice, while Cst. Benjamin and Warren slowly lowered their toboggans and supplies. At last the two tired Constables arrived in Old Crow on April 5, 1969 after 20 days hard traveling.

After Peter got back to his community he stayed on the force for another seven years, doing all the duties he did, traveling to the camps checking on the people of Old Crow. He would make sure they were doing well in their hunting and trapping and would head back to Old Crow to report his findings. He assisted the other Constables in the detachment going on call outs and being a liaison to his people. After doing this for many years Peter decided that it was time to retire. He retired after 21 years in the force working for his people of Old Crow. Peter spend half his life in the force with many good memories and with no regrets.

Pictured left, Peter and Cst. Townsend arriving in Fort McPherson-1969. Sadly, on September 24, 1984 long time Special Cst. Peter Benjamin passed away after a long battle with cancer, at the Whitehorse General Hospital. As one of the Constables said "There has been many Special Constables then but very few of them stayed in the force as long as Peter did". Peter was buried in Old Crow where he spent all his life with his family and where he raised his children. A huge RCMP headstone lies at the head of his gravesite which represents Peter's long term service with the RCMP and his dedication for his people.

Peter Benjamin is greatly missed by his family and friends but his strength, caring and determination lives on with the teachings by his son's and daughters to their children. Mahsi, Peter for all what you've done for our community and your service to the RCMP in the past years. It will not be forgotten.