A veteran escorting the body of Private Steven Allen, the soldier who died after a military training exercise in Alberta, was given a ticket by police while part of the funeral procession.

Debbi Ferguson was pulled over by Victoria police while she was part of the procession in Victoria.

Ferguson, a 20-year military veteran, was pulled over and issued a ticket for $230 while part of a funeral procession taking the body from the airport to a funeral home.

She told CBC Victoria's Jo-Ann Roberts that there is a code in the military.

"We never leave anyone behind and we never let a soldier come home alone."



Her car had a flag at half mast and her four-way flashers were on. The ticket was given to Ferguson because her license plate was obstructed.

Her first thought when the officer pulled in behind her and flashed his lights was that the officer was going to help the motorcade.

"That didn't happen," Ferguson said, "He shouted out on his microphone to pull over immediately. We were just in shock."



She said, "We were already in an emotional state and it was Remembrance Day. It's hard on all of us veterans and soldiers that a fellow man at arms would pull me over and pull me out of this escort."



Ferguson said when she explained to the officer about the procession he told her he didn't care and that he went to his car and came back with the ticket. "I looked at him and I'm like I am sorry this is most disrespectful thing I have seen anyone do"



A spokesperson for the Victoria Police said in a statement that the action of its officer was "regrettable."



"We recognize that this report of a ticket being issued to fellow community members volunteering their time to see a compatriot home is regrettable. This is especially true on a day when many members of our community, including many VicPD officers, were paying our own respects to the fallen."