The Royal Canadian Mounted Police 'M' Division is in mourning following last Thursday's murders of four RCMP officers of the 'K' Division in Mayerthorpe, Alta., northwest of Edmonton.

'Though the RCMP has in excess of 22,000 employees, we are a very close family and are all impacted by this tragic event,' Chief Supt. Dave Shewchuk, commanding officer of the 'M' Division, said in a statement released Friday afternoon.

'Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with the families of these fallen members and with everyone touched by this terrible tragedy.

'Any time a member is injured in the line of duty, it has a deep impact on the RCMP and the communities we serve. The loss of these four members as overwhelming as it is only deepens our resolve to maintain safe homes and communities.'

RCMP employee services and counselling and the RCMP chaplain are available to local RCMP members, employees and their families to assist with any issues arising from the tragedy.

A private, internal memorial service will also be held for RCMP members, employees and their families.

Flags have been ordered at half-mast for all RCMP buildings in the Yukon, from Friday until sunset of the date of the last funeral of the four members. Government buildings are also flying flags at half-mast.

Members of the public are welcome to express their sympathies by leaving cards or tributes to the fallen members at the memorial in the front of the RCMP headquarters building in Whitehorse.

A book of condolences is also available at the reception area of the RCMP building in Whitehorse for the public to sign. These will be forwarded to the families concerned.

Once funeral arrangements are finalized and the late officers' families' wishes are received by 'K' Division, 'M' Division will consider holding a public memorial service, Shewchuk said.