Sam Steele | Canadian Police Officer

Sam Benfield Steele

Born: January 5, 1849
Died: January 30, 1919
Place of Birth: Purbrook, Canada West

Major Notes:

Sam Steele has the reputation of being Canada's best known police officer.
As a teen, Steele went to live with his older brother after his father died.
In 1866, he joined the militia to ward off the Irish Fenians who wanted to take Canada hostage.
Later, in 1870, Sam Steele joined the Red River Expedition which set out to put down Louis Riel and the metis in the west.
A year later he enrolled in an artillery course in Kingston, Ontario, where he ended up as an instructor.
In 1873, Steele joined a new organization called the North West Mounted Police.
After some experience, he was given an NWMP group to command at Fort Qu'Appelle.
Steele put down conflicts involving the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Following its construction, Steele was put in charge of the entire railway.
Sam Steele was believed at times to make new laws as he went along to resolve conflicts.
By 1885, he had worked in numerous areas in the west and the NWMP was gaining the reputation of being a reputable force.
He was offered command of the British Lord Strathcona's Horse in 1900.
With this group, Steele helped in the Boer War in South Africa and later provided practical assistance to that nation.
He returned to Canada and with the start of World War I, he was assigned as commander of the 2nd Canadian Division until it left for France.
Steele went with the unit as far as England and joined the British forces.
While in England, in 1918,the British knighted Steele; soon Sam Steele returned to Canada and died shortly afterward.

For detailed research and more information, check out the following:

Sam Steele Days Grand Lodge Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online Calisota Online Gerry B's Book Reviews Wikipedia Please report any broken or incorrect links above to:
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Major Notes:

Sam Steele has the reputation of being Canada's best known police officer.

As a teen, Steele went to live with his older brother after his father died.

In 1866, he joined the militia to ward off the Irish Fenians who wanted to take Canada hostage.

Later, in 1870, Sam Steele joined the Red River Expedition which set out to put down Louis Riel and the metis in the west.

A year later he enrolled in an artillery course in Kingston, Ontario, where he ended up as an instructor.

In 1873, Steele joined a new organization called the North West Mounted Police.

After some experience, he was given an NWMP group to command at Fort Qu'Appelle.

Steele put down conflicts involving the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Following its construction, Steele was put in charge of the entire railway.

Sam Steele was believed at times to make new laws as he went along to resolve conflicts.

By 1885, he had worked in numerous areas in the west and the NWMP was gaining the reputation of being a reputable force.

He was offered command of the British Lord Strathcona's Horse in 1900.

With this group, Steele helped in the Boer War in South Africa and later provided practical assistance to that nation.

He returned to Canada and with the start of World War I, he was assigned as commander of the 2nd Canadian Division until it left for France.

Steele went with the unit as far as England and joined the British forces.

While in England, in 1918,the British knighted Steele; soon Sam Steele returned to Canada and died shortly afterward.