During the second day of a fatality inquiry looking into what led to the deaths of four constables on March 3rd, 2005, the officer in charge that day gave his account of what happened leading up to the fatal shootings.

Constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann were killed by James Roszko on a farm property near Mayerthorpe, before the gunman turned the weapon on himself.

On Tuesday morning, Sgt. James Martin, who was second in command of the Mayerthorpe detachment and the corporal in charge that day, testified that just before 3 p.m. on March 2nd, 2005, two bailiffs who went to Roszko's farm that same day to repossess a Ford pickup truck he had stopped making payments on, had asked for police to be present to keep the peace.

The officer said at that time he had dealt with Roszko on two previous occasions. In one case dealing with Roszko about a makeshift spike-belt located on his property and another where some men attempted to steal gasoline from Roszko's property and shots had been fired. That particular case ended up in the courts between 1998 and 1999.

When the bailiffs had called for police assistance, Martin said he had asked that Const. Schiemann assist in the call.

"We elected to go out there and assist them," said Martin.

Martin said from past files they were aware that Roszko "had violent tendencies."

The officer said upon arrival they spoke with bailiffs on site and reviewed the seizure order. The bailiffs reported to Martin that Roszko had yelled at them before fleeing the property.

"He had released dogs into this compound property," the bailiffs told Martin.

Martin, Schiemann and two other officers attempted to scour the area looking for the truck Roszko was believed to have fled in.

Later, Martin and Schiemann went back to see the bailiffs who were trying to get the front gate of Roszko's property opened.

Martin said because they still weren't certain Roszko had fled in the pickup bailiffs were looking for, they decided to search the property.

"They (the bailiffs) had their order, we were only there to keep the peace," said Martin.

The bailiffs proceeded to go into the Quonset after pepper spraying the dogs on the property and placing them into a shed area.

Martin then told Const. Julie Letal of the Mayerthorpe RCMP to accompany the bailiffs.

"I was surprised they would go in the Quonset without us accompanying them," said Martin.

Martin said he was not aware if Letal had drawn her weapon at all.

Martin said one of the bailiffs then blurted: "there's a chop shop in there."

The officers also smelled marijuana.

The group noticed what was believed to be a stolen generator on a truck, which had matched the description of a known stolen generator. And chopped truck parts.

Officers also grew suspicious of a grow operation.

"I went back there and looked at it, there was no doubt it was a marijuana grow operation," said Martin.

Martin said Const. Trevor Josok of Whitecourt RCMP then came to help and arrived at the Quonset. At that point, four RCMP officers were on site, Martin, Letal, Schiemann, and Josok.

Martin said he decided to radio Cpl. Jeff Whipple to inform him that he would head back to the detachment to start the paperwork on this file.

Officers also found a helicopter working in the area, but Martin said he made the decision not hire the pilot at a price of $900 an hour to help locate Roszko. Martin admitted he didn't rent the helicopter because of the price and for the fact that Roszko's truck wasn't stolen.

The officer made the decision despite his knowledge that Roszko was known as violent and has past access to weapons.

Cpl. Patrick Mehain, vice chair of the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada, says Martin was in a difficult spot that March day, trying to catch a suspect well-known to officers and considering the consequences of spending the $900 and coming up empty.

"Because if he did make the call and he found Mr. Roszko, he's a hero," said Mehain."If he doesn't get results from it, he's going to be in hot water."

Martin told the provincial prosecutor it was also his decision to leave constables Johnston and Gordon overnight at Roszko's property once a chop shop and marijuana grow operation had been discovered.

Martin said at the time the thought had crossed his mind that Roszko could return, and that he could have weapons stashed somewhere on the farm.

Martin has now finished answering questions from the provincial prosecutor.

On Wednesday, the father of Schiemann will get to ask Martin some questions.

With files from David Ewasuk and Canadian Press