Just one month after his tragic death, the family of RCMP Const. Francis (Frank) Deschenes came to Halifax to remember his life and honour other peace officers who were killed in the line of duty.
“It’s hard, hard to go through but have to take it one day at a time,” said Marie-Paule Deschenes, Francis’ mother.
“It was really a big shock.”
“It is important to see all the others, the other policemen, the parents that lose their kids,” added Bertrand Deschenes, Francis’ father.
READ: Hundreds gather to mourn N.S. Mountie killed while ‘helping someone that needed help’
Const. Deschenes was killed on Sept. 12, after a utility van collided with his police cruiser on Highway 2 near Memramcook, New Brunswick.
Deschenes worked in Amherst, N.S., but was on duty at the time of the fatal collision. Police say he had pulled over to help stranded motorists change a tire when the crash occurred.
“It’s sad to see people helping other people and they pass away that way. He was trying to help someone and that’s what happened to him,” said Marie-Paule.
READ: N.S. RCMP officer killed while helping motorists ‘an amazing police officer and person’
Deschenes wife and his parents traveled to Halifax to take part in the Nova Scotia Fallen Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.
The event is an opportunity for peace officers, first responders, military personnel and civilians to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Once a year we do this so we can come together. It’s a matter of fellowship. It’s also a matter of honouring those members who died,” said Retired RCMP Sgt. Major Rick Chadwick.
WATCH: Service honours Nova Scotia police officers killed in line of duty
Deschenes was a 12-year veteran of the RCMP.
He was first posted to Stewiacke Detachment and Bible Hill Detachment before accepting an opportunity to join the Musical Ride.
Following that time, he returned to Nova Scotia and joined Traffic Services. He was also a member of the Special Tactical Operations/Tact Troop and was a Traffic Reconstructionist.
In June 2008, Deschenes was credited with saving a woman when he used his cruiser to push a vehicle off a railroad track near Truro, N.S. seconds before an oncoming freight train came.
In 2013, he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal and had gotten married earlier this year.
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Deschenes name was added to the Nova Scotia Fallen Peace Officers Memorial which proudly stands in Grand Parade in time for the service.
“This monument is for the peace officers of the province who died in the line of duty,” said Chadwick.
“We have 24 names going from 1861 to just one month ago. So they’ve been spread out throughout the years but there’s been many people that I’ve known that are on the monument, that I’ve worked with before. So, it’s extremely important for us.”
It was something that clearly meant a lot for his parents.
“He loved his work and he was there for people. He’s always been there for people, even before he was a police officer. He loved to help people,” said Marie-Paule.
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