March 2, 2005, 3:00 p.m.: Edmonton bailiffs Mark Hnatiw and Robert C. Parry arrive at Roszko farm to execute civil enforcement warrant for a 2005 Ford F 350 truck on behalf of Kentwood Ford Sales of Edmonton, Alberta. Roszko releases guard dogs, yells obscenities at bailiffs.

Read Hnatiw's report [PDF]

3:20 p.m.: Cpl. James Martin of the RCMP detachment in nearby Mayerthorpe receives a call from the bailiffs. Roszko leaves property in a white pick-up truck.

3:25 p.m.: Cpl. James Martin along with Cst. Peter Schiemann arrive at the Roszko farm with the purpose of keeping the peace.

Prior to 4:00 p.m.: Roszko calls his aunt looking for his mother. The caller display on her telephone said “S. Hennessey.”

3:34 p.m.: Roszko calls the Kal Tire in nearby Barrhead, looking for a young mechanic named Shawn Hennessey.

According to a statement Hennessey would give to the RCMP six days after the shootings, Hennessey knew Roszko for over three years “initially through his employment at Kal Tire and further on doing work for him at Roszko’s residence.”

Between 3:00-4:00 p.m.: James Roszko seen driving white pick-up on Range Road 80 by Diane Romeo and her family on who are riding horses on the side of the road. Shortly after police cars arrive from the north and south, looking for Roszko.

3:45 p.m.: After the RCMP provide tools to bailiffs to break open pipe gate in Roszko driveway, Cpl. James Martin and Cst. Peter Schiemann accompany bailiffs onto the farm. Two officers and two bailiffs enter the Quonset on farm. They discover a marijuana grow-op, "chopped" truck parts and a stolen generator.

3:53 p.m.-4:28 p.m.: Jimmy Roszko makes four calls to the Kal Tire mobile phone.
Roszko reached Hennessey on the Kal Tire mobile phone. Roszko wanted to ditch his truck at Hennessey’s home in Barrhead. According to Hennessey’s later statement to police, he refused because Roszko would not tell him why he wanted to leave it there.

There were a few calls back and forth because of the fading cell phone service.

Roszko persisted and would later show up at Hennessey’s home. Hennessey had already called his wife and told her not to let Roszko park the truck there. Hennessey spoke to Roszko while he was at his home and again refused to let him leave his truck there.

Hennessey told the RCMP that he last spoke to Roszko around 4:00 p.m.

4:00-5:00 p.m.: Roszko calls his aunt back, again looking for his mother. He sounds anxious. This time there is no caller display information. She concludes that he is not at home when he makes the call.

4:05 p.m.: Cpl. James Martin advises all members to exit the Quonset and orders Cst. Julie Letal of the Mayerthorpe RCMP and Cst. Trevor Josok of Whitecourt RCMP to remain and secure the farm. Martin and Schiemann return to detachment to obtain a Criminal Code and Controlled Drug and Substances Act Search Warrant.

6:30 p.m.: Bailiffs post a copy of their seizure notice on Roszko residence and leave property.

7:30 p.m.: James Roszko's mother and her husband return home after being away from their home for most of the day. She receives a call from her son explaining that police were trying to repossess his truck and he needed a place to park it. He asked that she try to see if her sister would let him park it at her place. During the conversation he mentioned that he had made a will and they should pray or him. Roszko also calls his sister.

7:40 p.m.: RCMP Information to obtain a search warrant [PDF] received by Q.C. Robert Philp in Edmonton via fax.

7:55 p.m.: Warrant to Search issued to RCMP by Q.C. Robert Philp in Edmonton.

They were authorized to search from 8:00 p.m. on March 02 through to 8:00 p.m. on March 03, 2005. Cpl. Martin contacted the RCMP Edmonton Auto Theft Unit. It was agreed Auto Theft would attend the following day to work in daylight conditions.

Patrols were made throughout the area in an attempt to locate Mr. Roszko or his truck. One possible sighting turned out to be the wrong vehicle. A "Be On The Lookout For (BOLF)" had been issued through the RCMP Edmonton Operational Communications Center.

8:40 p.m.: Cpl. Martin arrived at the Roszko property with the Search Warrant, assisted by six other members.

During the search police seized:

Evidence of marijuana cultivation, stolen and suspected stolen property, namely, Marijuana lamps, pots containing seven marijuana plants and 88 hanging harvested plants, and notes pertaining to the maintenance and harvesting of marijuana from the residence at the location.
One hundred and ninety-two growing marihuana plants complete with pots, irrigation and lighting systems from the quonsit at the location.

A Warmac generator, the property of Trident Exploration reported stolen on the 16th of February, 2005.

A newer Sierra 2500 truck, Red in colour, with the vehicle identification numbers removed from the door frame and dashboard.

A newer model grey Ford truck which was partially disassembled and the interior stripped. This vehicle contained a vehicle identification number plate which appeared glued on the dashboard and thus is suspected to be from a different vehicle.

A Honda 400R dirt bike with serial numbers altered.

Pick truck box containing newer truck seats, truck grilles and various other new model truck parts.

Firearms ammunition of assorted calibers.

During the residential search police also found handwritten lists itemizing the names of RCMP members from Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt and Evansburg detachments. Associated to each name was the call sign of the police car normally used by each respective RCMP member and the cellular telephone numbers assigned to each car.

Due to the quantity of disassembled vehicle parts in the quonset it became necessary to call members of the Edmonton RCMP Auto Theft Section to complete a detailed examination to identify which vehicle parts were stolen. Cst's Garrett Hoogestraat and Vigor were contacted and would attend the following morning to conduct these examinations.

9:15 p.m.: A call was placed to Sgt. Pinder, Mayerthorpe Detachment Commander. Sgt. Pinder was briefed on the file and develop.m.ents. He then placed himself back on duty.

10:00 p.m.: Sgt. Pinder attended the Roszko property.

10:00 p.m.: James Roszko's aunt, who lives in nearby Cherhill, Alberta went to bed at 10:00 p.m. but was awakened approximately half-hour later by a phone call from her sister, Roszko's mother. She was asking if James Roszko could park his vehicle in her yard because people were trying to repossess it. She refused but later gave in to the request. She went to bed after waiting a short time for Roszko to arrive.

11:20 p.m.: Constable Anthony Gordon of the nearby Whitecourt, Alberta detachment gets a call to report to the Roszko farm. He is on the last day of a vacation.

11:30 p.m.: Edmonton Police Service "Green Team" attended and assisted in the search operation. A tow truck from Mayerthorpe attended to assist with some of the automotive seizures. Edson Forensic Identification member attended and assisted until 2:30 a.m..

Throughout the evening there were several unconfirmed sightings of Roszko's vehicle in the Mayerthorpe area. To ensure the safety of the tow truck operator, a member was assigned to provide a police escort.

During the search, ammunition was found which was also factored into the assessment process and decisions made respecting who would guard the property.

Sgt. Pinder and Cpl. Martin discussed security and safety precautions with the members on site.

Cst. Gordon and Cst. Johnston were recalled to guard the scene. Cst. Johnston's vehicle contained a loaded detachment .308 caliber rifle and Cst. Gordon's vehicle contained a loaded detachment 12 gauge shotgun.

MARCH 3, 2005

4:00 a.m.: Cpl. Martin and the Green Team leave the Roszko farm.

7:00 a.m.: James Roszko's aunt awakens to find the white pick-up truck parked in her yard.

8:00 a.m.: Two Edmonton Auto Theft members depart for the Roszko farm.

Prior to 9:00 a.m.: Mayerthorpe RCMP Constables Peter Schiemann and Brock Myrol attend local Vet, clinic before returning to Roszko farm. They obtain a cocktail of Rompum (TM) Xylazine and Acepomazine and a syringe. They intend to inject the drugs into meat they have and sedate Roszko's guard dogs.

9:05 a.m.: Cpl. Martin checked in with members at the scene who advised there had not been any sightings of Roszko during their shift.

Cst. Schiemann, who was at the detachment, was preparing to go to Edmonton to purchase work related equipment and supplies. As it is generally inappropriate to shop in uniform, his supervisor approved civilian dress for these duties. He was on duty and on shift at the time.

Another member was scheduled to drive Cst. Myrol to the scene to relieve Cst. Gordon. That member was called back to Whitecourt at the last minute so Cst. Schiemann volunteered to drive Cst. Myrol to the Roszko property.

9:10 a.m.: Cst. Schiemann departed Mayerthorpe Detachment, driving Cst. Myrol to the scene. Cpl. Martin was preparing to depart at the same time when discussions arose concerning the twodogs at the Roszko property. He was further delayed by a phone call from the Green Team. While en route, Cpl. Martin heard on the radio that Auto Theft was just arriving. Cpl. Whipple also departed Mayerthorpe Detachment to assist Cpl. Martin with the ongoing search. At this point, Constables' Schiemann and Myrol were 10 to 15 minutes ahead of Corporals' Martin and Whipple.

When the two Auto Theft members arrived, they were armed and in plain clothes. They noted two members on top of a shed and the other two watching from below, a short distance from the Quonset. After administering a sedative to dogs penned in the shed the officers proceeded to the Quonset.

9:57-10:00 a.m.: The four members on scene; Constables Gordon, Johnston, Myrol and Schiemann then were observed walking east along the south side of the Quonset until they entered, as noted by the Auto Theft members who were readying their equipment and preparing to put on coveralls.

Moments after the four constables entered the Quonset, gun fire was heard from inside. Cst. Vigor, also a member of the Emergency Response Team, yelled out to his partner and began to proceed towards the front of the structure.

As Cst. Vigor neared the Police cars parked close to the front of the Quonset, he observed a male, later identified as James Roszko, exit. Mr. Roszko had in his possession; a Heckler and Koch Model .308 cal. assault rifle with a 20 round magazine, a semi-automatic Beretta pistol in his waist band and a 300 Magnum rifle slung over his shoulder.

Mr. Roszko fired rounds at Cst. Vigor, narrowly missing him, however striking the parked police car. Cst. Vigor fired rounds at Mr. Roszko who was observed to re-enter the Quonset. The second Auto Theft member used his vehicle to provide cover for Cst. Vigor who immediately called for back-up as both members repositioned themselves.

Due to lighting and positioning, the Auto Theft members were not able to see inside the building. Efforts to communicate with the officers or suspect inside were met with no response.

Cpl Martin, upon hearing the call for back-up, notified neighbouring detachments. As officers arrived they secured the area.

10:19 a.m.: A call was received for the Edmonton Emergency Response Team to deploy. At this time, officers at the scene believe one member inside the Quonset was down. The whereabouts or status of the other three members and Mr. Roszko was unknown.

In addition to the Emergency Response Team (ERT), additional resources were deployed including; Police Service Dog, Explosive Disposal Unit, Air Service provided by Edmonton Police Service's Air One, STARS Air ambulance and the Red Deer Emergency Response Team.

While en route the ERT Commander obtained authority to request armored vehicles be dispatched by the Department of National Defense, Edmonton. Three vehicles, including an armored ambulance were dispatched.

As resources arrived, they were assigned appropriate areas of responsibility.

12:30 p.m.: RCMP calls military for assistance.

2:00 p.m.: At about 2:00 p.m., members from the Explosive Disposal Unit deployed their Remote Mechanical Investigator - a robot, to enter and assess the inside of the Quonset.

2:18 p.m.: The command was given for ERT to enter the Quonset. The plan was to move the members out of the Quonset for possible medical attention. At this point, the situation was treated as unsafe until determined to be secure. The scene was subsequently secured with no evidence of any other persons being involved.

The entire scene was ordered locked down and "K" Division RCMP Major Crimes were called in to conduct the investigation.

Major Crimes and General Investigation members were dispatched from Edmonton and Calgary.

To provide investigative assistance and independent oversight, a senior RCMP officer from British Columbia was tasked to take the lead on this investigation, assisted by a Team from the BC ("E" Division) Major Crimes Unit.

Forensic Identification Specialists were dispatched from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina and Halifax.

MARCH 9, 2005
RCMP interview Shawn Hennessey, who states that:

He lives on an acreage in the rural area near Barrhead, AB. His telephone number is…He is employed at Kal Tire in Barrhead, Alberta.

He learned from his grandfather John Hennessey of the theft of the firearm [Magnum 300 rifle found slung over Roszko’s shoulder on March 3, 2005] from John Hennessey’s residence. He had no prior knowledge or involvement in this theft.

He has known James Roszko for the past three to four years, initially through his employment at Kal Tire and further on doing work for him at Roszko’s residence.

He last spoke to Roszko at around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 2 of March, 2005, when Roszko called him on the mobile phone in his Kal Tire service truck. Roszko was looking for a place to leave his truck and wanted to leave it at Hennessey’s house. Hennessey refused because Roszko would not tell him why he wanted to leave it there. There were a few calls back and forth between the two because of the fading cellular service. Eventually called his wife to tell her that Roszko was on his way over to try to leave his truck there, and that she should refuse. He later spoke to Roszko who had attended his home and refused to let him leave his truck there.

MARCH 11, 2005
RCMP interview Shawn Hennessey.

MARCH 22, 2005
RCMP obtain a search warrant to search the Tele-Mobile Company for all call records from the Kal Tire mobile phone from February 2, 2005-March 11, 2005, including all phone calls, voice messages and text messages on March 2-March 3, 2005.

In the Information provided to obtain the warrant the RCMP state that:

Roszko’s mother stated to the RCMP that “she believed that James Roszko and Shawn Hennessey were involved in the drug trade and that Roszko grew the marijuana while Hennessey sold it.”

Also, the RCMP state that “the connection between Roszko and Hennessey on the date prior to the homicides illustrates that Hennessey is a person on which Roszko would turn for assistance. The information [provided by Roszko’s mother] shows that Hennessey and Roszko were involved in a marihuana cultivation and trafficking operation…”

MARCH 23, 2005
RCMP search a vehicle owned by John Hennessey and “items related to the offence were seized.”

OCTOBER 31, 2005
An Alberta court orders the release of search warrant material to the fifth estate related to the ongoing criminal investigation into the Roszko shootings. Shawn Hennessey’s name is first publicly linked to Roszko.

In his decision, Justice Clackson determined that "there is nothing to suggest that the investigation will be compromised by disclosure of the sealed materials" and that "There is no foundation to suggest that full disclosure of the sealed materials would pose a serious threat to any of the persons who assisted police. In result, there is no basis on which the continued sealing of these materials can be justified."

That same day the RCMP hold a press conference at K Division Headquarters in Edmonton in response to the release of the warrants. Inspector Gary Brine, Operations Officer for Western Alberta District explains that "what we were trying to do was conduct an investigation that would get to the bottom of what happened. We still hope to do that. But the fact is, information which we were holding back in order to get at the truth is now out in the public domain. If we can't hold back certain information about our strategy, we lose the ability to investigate the possible involvement of others in the community." (Read an RCMP press release)

DECEMBER 7, 2005
A Hail Of Bullets airs on the fifth estate.

APRIL 2006
An undercover RCMP officer posing as a welder shows up in Barrhead. He rents a house from local high school librarian Hilda Thompson for $625/month. He soon befriends Shawn Hennessey and starts hanging out with him and his friends. He is joined by his girlfriend, another undercover RCMP officer, who soon befriends Shawn’s wife Christine.

DECEMBER 2006
A woman’s car breaks down in front of the Barrhead factory where Shawn Hennessey’s brother-in-law Dennis Cheeseman, works. The woman, an undercover RCMP officer, pretends to be attracted to Cheeseman. Soon Cheeseman is travelling to Edmonton regularly to meet with the woman and her friends. One of her friends, another RCMP undercover officer, also takes a liking to Dennis and soon finds him work with his gang -- delivering briefcases, no questions asked -- to different locales across Canada.

JANUARY 2007
The undercover RCMP officer posing as a welder goes on a sledding trip with Shawn Hennessey and his friends. During the trip, Hennessey’s friend, Grant Phillips, injures himself. While waiting for medical assistance he confronts the welder, whom he is suspicious about. “Who are you, really?” Phillips asks him. “I’m a welder,” the man replies.

APRIL 2007
While on a shopping trip with Christine Hennessey, the welder’s girlfriend gets into a car accident in Spruce Grove. The undercover officer disappears from the Hennessey’s lives shortly after the accident.

SPRING-SUMMER 2007
Dennis Cheeseman confides in his friend Rob Janke that he is nervous and afraid that he is in over his head with his new friends. He wants out.

JULY 5, 2007
After agreeing to do one more job with his new friends, Cheeseman gets his friend Rob Janke to cover his shift at work in Barrhead. He later text messages Janke to tell him that he has bought a pick-up truck.

JULY 6, 2007
According to local sources, the boss of the gang Cheeseman has been involved with flies into a small airstrip outside of Barrhead to meet with Cheeseman, Hennessey comes along. After a brief discussion, Hennessey leaves.

JULY 7, 2007
Dennis Cheeseman is arrested in Sherwood Park, Alberta and charged with four counts of first- degree murder in relation to the March 3, 2005 killing of four Mounties at the Roszko farm.

Christine and Shawn Hennessey visit their friends Cathy and Grant Phillips to share the news of Cheeseman’s arrest and then go home for the night.

JULY 8, 2007
In the morning Grant and Kathy Phillips receive a call from a person identifying himself as an RCMP constable, then the phone line goes dead. After noticing a white SUV parked at the end of their property, Grant and Cathy drive their golf cart down their driveway to investigate. As they approach, a small army of RCMP Emergency Response Team members in camouflage and carrying assault rifles descends from within the woods around their house and stop them. The RCMP proceed to search the Phillips home. They are looking for Shawn Hennessey. But Hennessey isn’t there.

The RCMP instruct the Phillips not to contact anyone and leave.

At about the same time, Christine and Shawn Hennessey are in Barrhead at the home of Christine’s cousin, Teresa Power, relaying the news of Cheeseman’s arrest. At one point, Shawn gets up to go out to his truck. Shortly after Teresa and Christine hear yelling. Christine looks out the window and yells “They’ve got Shawn!”

The RCMP Emergency Response Team has closed down the entire street and have Hennessey down on the pavement.

Hennessey is arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the March 3, 2005 killing of four Mounties at the Roszko farm.

FEBRUARY 27, 2008
Bad Day At Barrhead airs on the fifth estate.

MARCH 26, 2008
Shawn Hennessey appears in Edmonton court seeking bail.

APRIL 14, 2008
Shawn Hennessey is granted bail

MAY 12, 2008
Dennis Cheeseman is granted bail

MAY-JUNE 2008
Hennessey and Cheeseman appear at preliminary hearings in Edmonton. Crown presents evidence gathered during undercover “Mr. Big” operation against Dennis and Shawn.

JANUARY 19, 2009
Hennessey and Cheeseman appear in Edmonton court, both plead guilty to manslaughter

JANUARY 30, 2009
Justice Eric Macklin sentences Shawn Hennessey to 15 years in prison. Dennis Cheeseman is sentenced to 12 years. The sentences are reduced to 10 years, four months and seven years, two months, respectively, for time already spent in custody and credit for pleading guilty.

FEBRUARY 4, 2009
Collateral Damage airs on the fifth estate.