WOLF THOMSON

Condolences & Memories (2 entries)

• In 1990 I took over the position of Inspector, CN Police in Thunderbay. As such I was also in charge of the Constable in Sioux Lookout who happened to be Constable Wolf Thomson. Some of my fellow supervisors in Winnipeg had told me that reports had filtered into the Regional Headquarters that Wolf rarely wore his uniform instead opting for a buckskin jacket and wearing his sidearm in a open style western holster. Knowing how stories get exaggerated I didn’t place much stock in these rumours but had been told that Wolf was a tireless worker. In February of 1991 I took my first foray into the Kingdom of the Wolf, I was met by an excellently turned out officer in his #1 dress uniform tunic and spit shined shoes. Wolf was a tall man with a friendly smile and welcomed me to Sioux Lookout. Knowing all police officers crave coffee he suggested we go to a local restaurant and I just had that feeling he wanted to show off his new supervisor to the locals. As we entered the café we passed by two uniformed OPP officers who looked up at Wolf with a look of surprise. One of them said “Wolf, I didn’t know you had a uniform”, Wolf’s response was “F… O..” as he walked right past them. After introducing me to numerous locals we went to his office, on the way he invited me out to his company lodgings which he and his wife Helen had lived in for many years. We arrived at the office and he regaled me with not only his work history but his entire life history. He talked of his involvement in WWII and coming to Canada and many a story of his police career in the Ontario North. My visit was really just to get to know the area, the local rail supervisors and most importantly Wolf. However, I did have a concern with what could be described as a lack of communication & reports coming from Wolf over the last five months. I asked Wolf why he wasn’t calling in to my office a couple of times a week to touch base as was the usual practice all over the country. His reply was I didn’t have anything to tell me and he knew I would be busy so he didn’t want to bother me. I asked why I wasn’t getting any police reports as I hadn’t received a single report of any kind since I took over. He replied “really?” I said no I haven’t received anything. He said well I don’t understand that. I noted a master control sheet on his desk outlining all the files he had dealt with in February and so I picked it up. I said Wolf here is a file number, can you just go over to your file cabinet and pull the original report for me to read. He said what file number? I showed him the number and said just pull that file for me please. He looked at me and said sure and then added can you just go out for another cup of coffee and come back in twenty minutes and I’ll have that report for you. I looked at him and said “what?” I then walked over to the file cabinet and opened the door! There wasn’t a single file to be found in the file cabinet or anywhere else in the office. Suddenly it became clear to me that while Wolf loved police action he eschewed report writing. The information on any crimes or issues involving the railway were in his head and not to be found on paper. It was clear to me that at this point in his career there wasn’t a lot of hope for change and that I had better just accept him for who and what he was because those attributes far outweighed his shortcomings for submitting reports. With that all behind us we took a drive out to his residence which was a company house. There I met his lovely wife Helen who regaled me with more action stories of her own career as a Matron in the cells for the OPP. Even Wolf admitted that Helen had been through more physical interventions than even he had in his career. As I entered the house I noted a stair bannister and at the bottom hooked onto the railing was a buckskin jacket completed with tassels and a western leather holster with his sidearm in the pouch. I stood there just shaking my head thinking I don’t want to see this. It was pretty clear they saw me seeing what I shouldn’t have been seeing. Helen looked at me and said “tea”, I said yes please and she served up a wonderful slice of apple pie. She referred to Wolf as her “Wolfie” and I could tell that the love between these two had been tested over many years and was as strong as the day they married. I was soon transferred to Winnipeg as the Superintendent of the Prairie Region and Wolf retired in 1992. We held a wonderful retirement party for him and he spoke graciously of all the people he had worked with over the years and how much he enjoyed his career. He even presented me with his last written report which got a great laugh from everyone. In later years I finished my career in Vancouver and would run into Wolf and Helen occasionally in White Rock where they both continued to volunteer with the RCMP Crime Prevention team before moving back to Winnipeg. After Helen passed away I still received the occasional call from Wolf as he was in his penthouse beside the Osborne Village. He was keeping track of things happening on the street with his field glasses and would relate his adventures with his driving cart in the neighbourhood. The world is a poorer place with the loss of both Wolf & Helen and please rest assured of my continued prayers for the repose of their souls. There are no more character like Wolf left in the police world as times have changed & cultures shift. I was proud to work with Wolf and to be his friend as were so many others. Dan Ritchie - Posted by: Dan Ritchie (Supervisor) on: Oct 03, 2021

• Wolf was a legend in his own time, and one of the most interesting characters I ever met. He and Helen were a great pair and always welcoming hosts. The stories of his career are truly memorable. Rest In Peace Wolf . - Posted by: Ray Baer (Worked with Wolf for many years with CN Police) on: Sep 25, 2021