Mountie killed helping motorists near Memramcook had history of going 'the extra mile'

The 35-year-old Mountie who was killed Tuesday night when he pulled over to help change a flat tire on the Trans-Canada Highway near Memramcook, N.B., had a history of going above and beyond to help others, said the commanding officer of the Nova ScotiaRCMP.

Const. Francis Deschenes was hailed as a hero in 2008 for saving a 26-year-old woman whose car was stopped on railroad tracks nearTruro, N.S., as a CN freight train sped toward it, said Assistant Commissioner BrianBrennan.

Deschenesused his cruiser to push the caroff the tracks, with only seconds to spare before the ongoing train would have smashed into the car and possibly derailed.

"That's just one demonstration of his dedication and commitment," Brennantold reportersduring a news conference Wednesday at the Amherst detachment where Deschenes, a newlywed, worked in traffic services.

• N.S. Mountie killed after stopping to provide roadside help
• RCMP cruiser involved in fatal highway accident

The northern New Brunswick native and 12-year veteran of the national police forcewas also a 2013 recipientof the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, whichhonours"significant contributions and achievements by Canadians."

Brennandid not knowDeschenespersonally, but said based on conversations with his family and friends, "he was extremely dedicated to the RCMP.

"He loved what he did."

Deschenes'sactions on Tuesday,stoppingto help two people in an SUV change a tire, "speaks to the core of what policing should beinvolved in your community, looking out for people,takingthe time to do those small things that would go a long way," saidBrennan.

Hiswork as a traffic reconstructionisttrained to investigatecollisions anddetermine causes, as a member of the Special Tactical Operations/Tact Troop, and as a former member of the Musical Ride "speaks to his dedication and his willingness to go the extra mile and do the best he can for everybody," hesaid.

Const. Francis Deschenes saved a life rescuing a car from railroad tracks in 2008

7 years ago

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The Nova Scotia Mountie who was killed Tuesday night when he pulled over to help change a flat tire on Highway 2 near Memramcook, N.B.The preliminary investigation by the New Brunswick RCMP indicates a utility van collided with the marked police car and the SUVin the eastbound lanes at the 480-kilometre markshortly after 6 p.m. AT.

Deschenesdied at the scene.The two people from the SUV were taken to the hospital and later released.

The driver of the van was also treated in hospital and taken into police custody. No charges have been laid.

'Unimaginable tragedy'

Brennansaid he could not provide many details about the circumstances ofDeschenes' death, given the active criminal investigation.

But he described the loss as a"tragic day for theNovaScotiaRCMPand our entireRCMPfamily."

"It is extremely challenging to describe what it feels like when we lose one of our own.In theRCMP, we are a family and every employee in Nova Scotia and across the country is impacted by the loss of Francis Frank as he was better known."

Brennan said he met withDeschenes'wifeand family members."They are dealing with unimaginable tragedy, and I ask that they be given the privacy and respect they deserve as they grieve the loss of their husband, son, brother and friend."

The RCMP's focus in the coming days will be on thecontinued support forDeschenes' family, friends and colleagues, he said.

"This is going to be a tough road ahead, and we have to take care of each other and ensure people are receiving the care and support they require."

Outsidethe AmherstRCMPdetachment, flags were at half-mast on Wednesday afternoon.

Anarrangement of red and white carnations was also sitting by the sign. The attached card says, "Missing you like crazy, RIP our friend."

A book of condolences was also set up inside the Amherst detachment, as well as headquarters in Halifax to honour Deschenes, who started his career at theStewiacke, N.S., detachment and Bible Hill before joiningthe Musical Ride and later returning to Amherst.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his "deep condolences" to thefamily and friends of the officer "killed in the line of duty."

"We mourn with his fellow RCMP," he wrote.

Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale issued a statement.

"The death of a police officer is a stark reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of our police women and men who put themselves in harm's way each and every day to keep Canadians safe and secure," he said.

Amherst Police Department Chief Ian Naylor said officers sometimes forget their jobs "can be very dangerous."

"We get used to it, that's our norm," he said. "The things that we deal with on a regular basis,if the average person dealt with it, you know, it would be a traumatic event in their life."

"When this type of thing happens, it reminds all police officershow dangerous our jobs can be and every time we put that uniform onwe potentially can be in a dangerous situation and our lives are at risk."

You'rejust kind of left with an empty and helpless feeling.- Ian Naylor, Amherst police chief

Naylor said his department has a close working relationship with the local RCMP and some of his officers knew Deschenes, both professionally and personally.

"It numbs you," he said. "These types of things happenand you're just kind of left with an empty and helpless feeling."

Naylor planned to brief his officers on Wednesday afternoon and let them know the department has reached out to the RCMP,expressing "sympathies and prayers."

"We certainly let them know if there's anything we can do to help them, whether it be operationally or whatever that we are there for them," he said. "They've helped us [when]we've had difficult situations in the past and we'll do the same for them."

Emergency responders and citizens across the Maritimes expressed sadnessand anger about the officer's death in hundreds of posts on social media.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the RCMP officer, his family and colleagues during this difficult time. Such a tragic preventable loss," the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force's traffic division tweeted.

"Our thoughts are with our RCMP friends and families who lost one of their own yesterday. So sad," the Fredericton Firefighters Association, Local 1053, tweeted.

"The public is sharing the heartache and the sorrow," Chris N Nancy Oulton wrote on Facebook.

Christopher Haworthposted that "all jurisdictions need to re-educate and emphasize the importance of slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles."

In New Brunswick, the so-called move over law passed in 2013 requires drivers to slow down and, where possible, move into the left lane when emergency vehicles are pulled off the road with their lights flashing.

Anyone who violates theprovisions of the provincial Motor Vehicle Act faces a fine of $292.50and the loss ofthree points off of their driver's licence.

The law was passed in 2013,just a few months after a Sret du Qubec officer was struck and killed by a passing vehicle in the Laurentians.