RCMP officer to guitar slayer: Vernon resident returns to stage

A RCMP officer on medical leave from the force is using music to get through his mental health struggles.

Vernon resident Jonathan Williams will be playing guitar and singing for the Kelowna group NFA Friday night (March 17) at 8 p.m. at Vernon’s Longhorn Pub.

Before he joined the RCMP more than a decade ago, Williams was a singer-songwriter-guitarist for groups that performed at shows with some big name acts.

“I was sharing the stage with Colin James, Spirit of the West, Kim Mitchel, Dr. Hook and Trooper. That was my dream, but I fell in love and had a family, so I needed something to put food on the table, so I hung up the guitars and applied for the RCMP,” Williams told Vernon Matters.

Williams has been a RCMP officer for about 14 years, but went on medical leave in January 2021 after serving in Armstrong. He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“PTSD was this thing that slowly moved in, and I was waiting for something that would trigger it or something devastating, but for me, it wasn’t. It was like the slow build of grief and tragedy, and I realized I couldn’t go to work anymore,” Williams explained.

Williams gave one example of how he felt while on the job.

“I’d be on [a police] scene and all of a sudden I felt like I was going to throw up. I had to leave, but instead of throwing up, I balled my eyes out, and that was it. I realized I needed help.”

Williams, who says he “lost everything” including the end of his marriage, recently finished a five week program in Oyama where RCMP and others stay at the site to get help for PTSD.

His therapist encouraged him to take up music again to help him through his issues.

“I went home and started playing. There was a lot of dust on the guitars, but I was finally able to express, and feel, and process,” he explained.

After that program, Williams realized he could not go back to police work due to the stress.

“I have spoken with the RCMP to talk about taking a medical retirement, so that’s kind of the next step.

Williams said the group he plays with, NFA, is a Kelowna dance rock cover band that has been around for a few years.

“They needed a guitar player, and I needed a band, so we met and joined forces.”

Friday’s gig at the Longhorn will be Williams’ first in about 20 years.

“So the first show we have together, as a band is here in Vernon on St. Paddy’s Day with four hours of material. I’ll be playing a couple of my original songs, but for the most part, it’s the first time for us to really try this out.”

Williams said the band, featuring lead singer Bill Clarke, plays cover songs from the 80’s to 2000’s, everything from The Doobie Brothers to Taylor Swift.

Future performances:

The Blue Gator
Friday and Saturday (April 7, 8)
Performing with NFA at 9 p.m.

Summerland ActionFest
Sunday June 4

Canada Day
11:00 – West Kelowna
4:00 – Kelowna Waterfront Park

You can find out more https://jonathanofficialmusic.com/