By Police1 Staff
MEMRAMCOOK, New Brunswick — A Mountie who stopped to help motorists with a flat tire was struck and killed Tuesday.
Const. Francis Deschenes, 35, stopped to help the motorists change their tire when a utility van collided with his patrol car and the motorist’s SUV, Global News reported.
Deschenes died at the scene. The two motorists in the SUV were treated at a hospital and released. The van driver was also treated and released to police custody.
Deschenes, a 12-year veteran of the force, worked with the RCMP Musical Ride. He returned shortly after to work in traffic service and was a Special Tactical Operations/Tactical Troop member and traffic reconstructionist.
In June 2008, Deschenes saved a woman by pushing her vehicle off the railroad tracks with his patrol cruiser seconds before a train came. In 2013, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.
Colleague and friend Blake DeCoste told Global News that Deschenes was “truly one of the good guys.”
“I can say that he was an amazing police officer and person. He was dedicated to his job, loyal to the RCMP, and would do anything for anyone,” DeCoste said.
Asst. Commissioner Brian Brennan said in the weeks ahead, “our focus will be on the continued support for Const. Deschenes’ family, friends and colleagues.”
“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,” he said.
An investigation is ongoing.