WESTLOCK – For Dave Hall, a life of service has been the guiding principle of his 73 years. From his 36-year career with the RCMP to his decades of volunteer work with organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Royal Canadian Legion, Hall has dedicated himself to making his community better and safer.
Now, his tireless efforts have been recognized with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, one of only a handful awarded to MADD volunteers across Western Canada and the Northwest Territories.
“I was a little bit surprised,” Hall said during a phone interview on Feb. 19. “I was actually quite humbled.”
Hall had a long career with the RCMP, following in his father's footsteps. His father was with the B.C. Provincial Police, which was absorbed by the RCMP, and he spent his policing career in BC.
"I joined the RCMP because my dad was in the RCMP," said Hall. "I just wanted to be a police officer."
He served in various roles across the country, from Loon Lake, Sask., to Ottawa, Ont., and eventually the Westlock detachment in 1996. His career spanned general policing, highway patrol, and specialized roles like collision reconstruction, a field he trained for in Florida.
“It was interesting at first but after a while, it starts to wear on you,” said Hall.
While with the Red Deer RCMP, Hall became the impaired driving prevention coordinator, overseeing breathalyzer equipment and instructing officers province-wide on its use. This role sparked his passion for combating impaired driving, leading him to volunteer with MADD over 31 years ago.
“A lady showed up at the Red Deer [detachment] who had been involved with MADD in Ontario,” said Hall. “She wanted to start a chapter in Red Deer. Depending on who you ask, she’ll say I jumped in to volunteer, and I’ll say ‘I was tricked into it.’”
A lifelong advocate for MADD
Hall’s involvement with MADD grew over the years. He served as vice president and later president of the Red Deer chapter before being elected to the national board of directors, where he represented the Prairie provinces and Northwest Territories for six years. Today, he remains active with MADD Edmonton, serving as the chapter’s secretary.
His advocacy work extends beyond MADD. For years, Hall delivered presentations through the Party Program, educating students about the dangers of impaired driving.
“I did it every Wednesday in Red Deer throughout the school year,” he said.
A legacy of service
Hall’s commitment to service didn’t end with the RCMP.
He became a provincial traffic prosecutor, covering cases from High Prairie to Lloydminster for 15 years.
He also rejoined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, serving as a cadet instructor and eventually becoming the commanding officer of the Westlock cadets.
“I reached the maximum age, so I had to retire,” said Hall. “But I still work with the Army Cadet League as the league rep for the corps.”
In addition to his work with MADD and the cadets, Hall has been a dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion, serving as president and zone commander.
“This is my 10th year as legion president, though not consecutively."
A family man and nature enthusiast
Hall’s wife, MaryAnne, is also a retired RCMP officer.
“Somebody once asked us the secret to a long marriage and MaryAnne said, ‘Opposite shifts.’" joked Hall. "It helps when you’re both in similar jobs and understand where the other is coming from.”
The couple has two children, a son and a daughter, both living in Westlock.
In his spare time, Hall enjoys nature photography.
“At least once a week, we go out looking for wildlife,” he said. “Whatever’s running around, we’re trying to get pictures of it.”
A humble recipient of the King Charles II Coronation Medal
When Hall learned he would receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal, he was surprised because he said there are so many other deserving members of MADD. The awards were announced in January.
“MADD got 50 medals to hand out across the country,” he said. “Western Canada and the Northwest Territories only received 10. Our regional manager nominated me and our admin from Edmonton, and we were both accepted. Out of 38 chapters and community leaders, Edmonton got two of them. It’s quite an honour.”
Hall, along with Rhonda Paterson from Edmonton, were recognized for their work with MADD. They were presented with their medals in Edmonton at the end of November.
"Dave has been a dedicated member of MADD for 30 years," posted Edmonton MADD on their social media. "A retired and well-respected police officer, he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of impaired driving and was driven to take action. His commitment to MADD reflects his passion for making his community safer.
"An active and engaged volunteer, Dave regularly attends monthly meetings, participates in community events, and provides unwavering support to fellow volunteers. His leadership keeps the team motivated and engaged, while his wealth of experience and expertise helps the chapter grow and thrive."
This isn’t Hall’s first royal recognition. He previously received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. He also received the Alberta Law Enforcement Long Service Medal, and the RCMP Long Service Medal.
As for retirement, Hall has no plans to slow down any time soon.
“You know what happens when you retire fully, right?” he joked. “About six months later, they’re holding a memorial for you."
One thing, however, is certain. He remains focused on making the roads safer and is a firm believer in the importance of the MADD message, encouraging others to listen and refrain from drinking and driving.
“I hope people will listen to MADD when we tell them not to drink and drive.”
