City of Steinbach receives historic donation to celebrate 150th birthday

The City of Steinbach was presented with a gift to celebrate the City’s 150th birthday.  

Harry Troche gifted memorabilia of the Steinbach Police Service to the City of Steinbach.  

He presented a collection of Steinbach Police insignia that range from the first to last hat badge and shoulder patch that was worn.  

Troche says he and his wife Janine moved to Steinbach eight years ago, and they are honored and proud to be residents of Steinbach. 

“It's a city full of love, faith, compassion, and a sense of community that we've never experienced before. I've looked from Ottawa to Chicago to Geneva, Switzerland, Bosnia, around the world, and I've never experienced a city like Steinbach. It's so full of love, it's so full of vibrancy, it's so full of everything that makes the City great.” 

50 years ago, Troche started a 32-year-long career in law enforcement. 

Early on in his career, he started collecting law enforcement memorabilia, and had a goal to collect as much memorabilia as he could from small-town police services. Over the years, he has collected over a few hundred pieces. 

Troche says the Steinbach Police Service existed for 53 years, from 1922 to 1975, and it varied in size from one officer to about six or seven at its very biggest.  

“So there's not a lot of stuff out there, memorabilia from the Steinbach Police are very, very hard to obtain. In fact, it was probably some of the hardest items I obtained during my almost 50 years of collecting, but I did manage to get some.” 

He shares why he donated his Steinbach Police collection to the City of Steinbach. 

“These are things that I want to be enjoyed by the citizens of this great city well after I'm gone, or Mayor Earl is gone. We want the people to Steinbach to see their history, to come into this building, and learn something they didn't know,” he says. “I think it's a very powerful thing to know more about your city, a little bit more about the history, and be proud of it.” 

He hopes that by making this donation to the City, it will encourage other residents to do the same. 

“I'm hoping that by doing this it will help Steinbach residents dig into their closets and find some other artifacts from our City’s past that they could donate to the City, and perhaps have on display here so that everyone can see them when they come to City Hall.” 

Troche hopes the memorabilia will help residents cherish and remember our history. 

Mayor Earl Funk says this donation means a lot to the City. 

"Because it allows us to hold on to some of our past and see where we've come from. I think it's great to look back, especially this year. This is the year of reflection with 150 years behind us, and it's really special to get it this year.” 

Funk says he and Troche have gotten quite close over the years. 

“When Harry and Janine moved to Steinbach, I was a counsellor, and I became their butcher. And shortly after, I became his mayor, and I got to see him weekly, and our friendship grew and grew and grew,” he says. “You (Troche) truly are a wonderful person. You are an honorary Mennonite. Because when he cuts himself, he bleeds Steinbach.” 

Right after Troche presented the City of Steinbach with a gift, the City of Steinbach presented Troche with a gift. 

“A while ago, the City, we got medallions made for community contribution, anything that goes over and above. And today I have one to give to Harry for his contribution to our community and these badges that he's given us to remember.” 

He says it is a privilege to present Troche with the Community Contribution Medallion.

“This award recognizes your exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the community of Steinbach, your dedication to your church community and your neighbors have made a significant impact in the lives of many. Our community is better for the kindness, effort, and support you have constantly demonstrated. Your actions have not only enriched the lives of those around you, but you've also set a remarkable example of what it means to be a friend and a mentor. Thank you for your invaluable contributions. Many years back I lost my dad, and Harry has been one of those men that has stepped in and he's become like a father to me, and that is why I appreciate him so much.” 

Troche expresses his gratitude. 

“Thank you very much, I'm very honored. I brought something, I didn't expect to go home with something!” 

Troche has donated other parts of his memorabilia collection as well. You can find some of his donations in the Winnipeg Firefighters Museum, and a museum in Calgary.