SASKATOON – A Saskatchewan conservation officer killed when he was hit by a driver allegedly fleeing police is being remembered as a lifelong hunter and fisherman who loved having a job protecting the environment.
Justin Knackstedt’s manager, Kerry Wrishko, says the 23-year-old was honest, dedicated and a hard worker.
“I can tell you Justin was in the right career,” Wrishko said Monday. “He knew what he wanted in life and he was the ultimate conservation officer. He was very professional. He was so passionate about protecting our natural resources in Saskatchewan like the fisheries and wildlife.”
Wrishko said Knackstedt grew up hunting and fishing in Saskatchewan. He had been a conservation officer for about three years.
“I know his family was so proud of him and the career he chose.”
Knackstedt died Friday evening after he stopped to help RCMP deal with a crash on Highway 11, south of Saskatoon. Mounties were initially called to a collision involving two vehicles and traffic had to be diverted on the busy highway.
Knackstedt and another conservation officer were in a marked vehicle heading to Blackstrap Provincial Park when they came upon the scene. Wrishko said they offered to give the Mounties a hand with traffic control.
A little while later, RCMP got a call about an SUV being driven erratically on Highway 11, the main link between Regina and Saskatoon. Police say traffic was lined up along the highway when an RCMP officer approached a vehicle matching the description of the SUV.
It sped off through the crash site and hit Knackstedt. He died at the scene.
Mounties chased the SUV, but didn’t catch it until it reached Saskatoon and rolled into a ditch.
Blaine Thomas Taypotat, 35, from Saskatoon faces several charges that include criminal negligence causing death, impaired driving causing death and flight from a peace officer causing death.
Taypotat appeared in a Saskatoon court Monday and was remanded for a bail hearing June 17.
Court heard Taypotat is also facing charges for a violent offence in Broadview, Sask., and an impaired driving charge in Regina.
Brenda Hartley, a family friend of the Knackstedts, was in court. She told reporters outside that she was angry when she saw Taypotat’s face. She said the Knackstedts are a close-knit family and are still having trouble processing what happened. She said she hopes the accused gets a lengthy prison term.
“He killed somebody and I hope he pays hard for it,” she said.
Lawyer Josephine De Whytell, who is representing Taypotat along with lawyer Donald Worme, made a brief statement on behalf of her client.
“We want to express condolences that this is an extreme tragedy and our client is deeply remorseful for what has transpired,” she said.
Wrishko said Knackstedt’s colleagues are taking news of his death hard.
There are about 150 active field conservation officers in Saskatchewan and no one has died on duty since 1997, he said.
“I want people to know and understand that Justin was a fine young man and at age 23 did not deserve the fate that befell him.”
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