Edmonton police commission thanks officers for work on Samuel Bird homicide case
Posted November 20, 2025 9:19 pm.
Last Updated November 20, 2025 9:47 pm.
The Edmonton Police Commission is publicly recognizing the efforts of roughly 100 officers who worked on the disappearance and homicide investigation of 14-year-old Samuel Bird, whose body was found in October after he went missing in June.
Bird’s accused killer, Bryan Farrell, is now charged with second-degree murder. Officers involved in the case were thanked during a commission meeting at city hall Thursday.
Det. Jared Buhler, a 25-year member of the Edmonton Police Service, including nine years in the homicide unit, said the investigation was one of the most demanding of his career.
“For me personally, Sam Bird’s case was probably one of the most challenging cases I have been involved in,” said Buhler.
Bird’s remains were discovered on Oct. 16 in a rural area west of Edmonton. The investigation began as a missing-person case, which initially left officers with little physical evidence to work from.
“You have no body, you have no scene, and what you’re left with is the history,” Buhler said.
The case drew national attention, and investigators faced significant volumes of information, and misinformation, circulating on social media.
“It doesn’t make it any easier for those investigators trying to find resolution to this file, so it adds stress,” said Deputy Chief Devin Laforce.
At Thursday’s meeting, police commissioners expressed appreciation for the officers’ persistence and teamwork.
“This outcome, although very sad, is the result of exceptional teamwork, compassion, and perseverance,” said Shazia Amiri, vice-chair of the Edmonton Police Commission. “To every one of our employees who have been a part of bringing Samuel home, thank you. Your work has made a profound difference.”
Amiri said it was important to acknowledge the exceptional effort involved.
“I felt like it was important to show that gratitude. The family has also expressed that quite publicly as well,” she said. “And I thought that as commission it was important to do so.”
“Its nice once in a while that we can recognize we know this has been difficult for you, we love the hard work you did and you certainly made an impact on the community,” added Laforce.
Buhler said he appreciates the recognition but noted the mixed emotions that come with it, acknowledging that many difficult cases do not receive the same level of attention.
“We’re just glad we could find Sam and bring him home to his family and allow them to have their burial,” he said.
