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He has been fighting crime in Jasper since arriving fresh from the academy six years ago.
But the time has come for Constable Patrick Vallee to serve and protect a different stretch of mountains.
“I am absolutely going to miss this town,” said Vallee.
The constable is heading to Squamish, British Columbia, to join the provincial Sea-to-Sky Traffic Services.
He said this transfer has been a couple of years in the making and it is a career dream of his to work in BC.
Because Vallee, from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, was a city boy who fell for the mountains.
“They were new to me when I moved here and I instantly fell in love,” he said.
“I love to ride my mountain bike but I have done so many hikes and scrambles and I love it.
“You can try to explain the top of a mountain or what it’s like here but people don’t understand until they see it.”
And Vallee said his time outdoors helps him deal with the tougher parts of his job.
“Any death is the most difficult thing, dealing with the scene, the people I have to tell,” he said.
“I remember every situation, how it went - I will always remember that.
“We have support and it is very important to talk and have people close to you and find what makes you happy.
“For me, that’s going out to the mountains - going out and hiking or riding my mountain bike or going out with my dog.”
While serving in Jasper, Vallee has carried out drug busts, taken drunk drivers off the streets, rescued dogs from hot cars, and was deployed to Fort McMurray to help with evacuations during the 2016 wildfires.
“I like not knowing what’s going to happen when I go to work,” said Vallee.
“I sometimes plan to go on the highway to do some radar, some days I am slammed with paperwork - but suddenly the radar comes off and a call comes in.”
And for Vallee, the biggest lesson he has learned is how important it is to be close to the community.
“When you come out of the depot you have learned so much about driving techniques, firearm techniques, a mix of everything is going on in your mind,” he said.
“But the main thing is to be close to the community and first responders - fire, EMS, park wardens. Even just business owners.
“It’s nice to go for a foot patrol and into businesses and have a contact point.
“When people get to know you, you develop that bond. When they know you, they’re going to call.”
Vallee will hit the road mid-October and said he will miss Jasper life and appreciates the time he has spent here.
“I have met so many amazing people in town, I met my girlfriend here,” he said.
“Jasper has had a lot of positive impact on my life and I am going to miss the people.
“I am definitely going to miss this community.”
