About Alex Decoteau
Alex Decoteau became the first Aboriginal Police Officer in Canada when he joined the Edmonton Police Service in 1909. He was well known for his athleticism, as he was a spectacular long-distance runner.
He won most major western Canadian races between 1909 and 1916, and even earned a place on Canada’s Olympic team to compete in the 5000-metre race in Stockholm in 1912. In fact, Decoteau won races so frequently that he was eventually given the trophies to keep.
At the start of WWI in 1916, Decoteau enlisted in the Canadian Army. He first served with the 202nd Infantry Battalion, then later with the 49th Battalion. After arriving in France in 1917, Decoteau was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele.
Alex Decoteau Park reflects the passion he had for his community, and how he strived to serve it in any way he could.