A former chief of the Estevan Police Service died on Friday, March 6. Del Block, who retired from the EPS in 2014, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was also a former RM Councilor.

"Del was very upfront," recalls Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, who worked closely with him. "You knew where he was coming from. We had many discussions over the years, and I appreciated his honesty and forthrightness. He was always willing to let you know exactly how he felt about issues."

Block's community involvement went beyond the council chamber and the police force. He was a prominent face in the community, active in organizations like the Estevan Exhibition Association.

"A good spokesman for the Exhibition Association," Ludwig said. "He always contributed and helped in various ways when the rodeos came. It was a pleasure to see him around. Sometimes he would even help out at the rodeo itself with his horse. He was an avid horseman."

Block was in law enforcement for more than thirty years when he retired, including time as a staff sergeant in Estevan. He and his wife Carol had raised three daughters.

"So unfortunate that his life was cut short with cancer," Ludwig said. "He worked so hard with the police department to obtain a full retirement. And then to be cut short like that, with that unfortunate disease, it's very disheartening."

The Estevan Police Service has their flags at half-mast.