Neil Bruce was a native of New Brunswick. He joined the RCMP in 1959, and transferred to the Kelowna Detachment in 1962. Neil was a big, good-natured man who was popular with his fellow officers. He was a man of integrity and he performed his duties to the best of his abilities.

Neil Bruce was fatally wounded on April 10^th, 1965 while attempting to rescue a young woman who was being unlawfully confined in a cabin on Powers Creek in Westbank. He died in Kelowna General Hospital from his injuries on April 14^th, 1965. He was 26 years old.