HAY RIVER, N.W.T. _ Police across western Canada were searching Monday for a 23-year-old Alberta man accused of killing a Mountie in Hay River, N.W.T.

Emrah Bulatci, who police say may be armed and dangerous, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Const. Christopher Worden.

``We call it a `be on the look-out for' bulletin. It has gone out western Canada wide,'' Sgt. Larry O'Brien said.

``Any police agency would get it. They are keeping an eye out for him.''

Worden was gunned down early Saturday morning while answering a trouble call near a suspected drug house in the small town 400 km. south of Yellowknife.

RCMP say Bulatci may also be known as Justin Elise and his last known addresses include locations in the Edmonton area.

Bulatci was arrested during a drug bust in Edmonton last February but was released after posting $20,000 bail, the Edmonton Sun reported.

He was charged with possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, possession of the proceeds of crime under $5,000, careless storage of ammunition and two counts of breach of recognizance.

People in Hay River on Monday continued to struggle with the young Mountie's death.

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott was to meet privately with Worden's widow, Jody, and their eight-month-old daughter, Alexis, as well as with the eight-member Mountie detachment.

``It is important for him (Elliott) to be here at a time like this. Obviously the members are hurting here as well as the family of Chris Worden,'' O'Brien said.

Jody Worden was to make a statement about her husband's death on Monday afternoon.

The family is then to travel to Ottawa where the funeral is to be held. The RCMP also plan to hold a memorial service for Worden in Hay River sometime after the funeral. Dates and details for both services were pending.

Worden's death has touched the hearts of hundreds of friends and strangers across Canada who are taking time to pay tribute to the fallen Mountie on the Internet with prose, poetry and home-made videos.

``As a wife of a recent fallen officer, my heart goes out to Christopher's wife, his young child, his family and his fellow officers,'' wrote Sonja Plunkett.

``This will be an incredibly difficult time for you but know that the brotherhood of the police forces in Canada will support you as you embark on this tragic journey. May you find the strength and courage to endure the loss of Christopher.''

Others said that Worden, 30, was ``one who protected sheep from the wolves'', and called his death a ``senseless murder of one who accepted the mostly thankless job of serving and protecting.''

One tribute video shows pictures of Worden in his scarlet serge RCMP uniform and of him smiling broadly at the camera during different moments of his five-year career.

The images are intercut with photos of Mounties wiping away tears during a memorial service in 2003 for the four RCMP who were gunned down in Mayerthorpe, Alta., by a crazed gunman.

The words ``Father, son, husband, friend and hero _ you will never be forgotten,'' hover over the images and then slowly fade away.

The accused's father, Erdogan Bulatci, is also trying to make sense of what has happened.

He said he can't believe that his son is wanted by police in Worden's death.

``I don't believe it,'' Bulatci told The Canadian Press. ``He has a baby, why is he going to do a thing like that?

``I don't think he would do such a thing.''

The father said he hasn't talked with or seen his son for more than a year.

Erdogan Bulatci said he thinks Emrah lives in Edmonton and that his girlfriend had his baby three or four months ago. He said he didn't know what his son did for a living because they weren't close.

He also said police had not questioned him about his son.

Emrah Bulatci has blond hair, blue eyes, weighs about 135 pounds and is about five feet tall.

Police say Bulatci is ``associated'' with a grey 2004 Ford Expedition with Alberta licence plate LEC 010.

People in Hay River, a community of about 3,600, were doing their best to carry on with their lives and think about the future.

Grief counsellors were being made available for residents and town leaders were worried about how the shooting will affect children when they return to school on Tuesday morning. The crime scene is near two schools.

``I remember watching the Mayerthorpe thing and not fully understanding until now just exactly how that affects a community,'' said Mayor John D. Pollard.

``Our community is going to get through this and deal with it. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and young child.''
© 2007 The Canadian Press