2nd officer dies 11 days after being caught in avalanche in Kaslo, B.C.

The second police officer caught in a backcountryavalanche near Kaslo, B.C.,earlier this monthhas died of his injuries, the Nelson Police Department said.

Const. Mathieu Nolet, 28, was skiing with his colleague Wade Tittemorein a mountain pass 60 kilometres north of Nelson on Jan. 9, when the two were swept down the mountain in a large avalanche.

"Const.Nolet suffered severe internal injuries and died this morning in hospital in Kelowna,"the Nelson Police Department said in a news releaseSaturday.

Tittemore, 43,died of injuries on the scene and was posthumously promoted to detective.

"It is hard to fully express the sadness the department is feeling right now," said Chief Const. Donovan Fisher in a video posted online.

"The memorial for Const.Tittemore was this past week, and now we've lost a second officer and friend. It is truly devastating."

Tittemore and Nolet were avid backcountry skiers, had plenty of experience and training and were both carrying probes, beacons and other avalanche safety gear.

The day of the avalanche, Nolet was foundand rescuedby four people who witnessed the slide.

Nolet a 'dedicated, caring and positive' officer

According to the NPD, Nolethadworked in Nelson for just over a year after serving with the Calgary Police Service andchose to live in Nelsonbecause of his love for the backcountry and dedication to community policing.

Fisher said he visited Nolet several times in hospital and said the officer remained upbeatdespite the circumstances.

"Const. Nolet was a dedicated, caring and positive young officer with nothing but promise," he said in the video."He passed away with his fiance, his sister and his parents with him."

Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison said the loss of a local police officer will resonatedeeplyin the small, tight-knit community.

"We have one of the smallest municipal police forces in the country," Morrison said. "This tragedy has hit us hard; our deepest condolences go out to Const.Nolet's family."

Tittemoreremembered in celebration of life

Morrison addedthe city will be there for Tittemore andNolet's loved ones and continue to supportFisher and the police department moving forward.

Tittemore was remembered in a celebration of lifeat Nelson's Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, where his sister-in-law Shannon Cross described him as "loyal, honest and full of integrity."

Tittemore was a husband, father of two children and a 15-year police veteran whoalso previously worked for the Calgary Police Service.

In a statement Saturday afternoon, B.C.'s minister of public safety and solicitorgeneral said his thoughts were with Nolet's family, friends and colleagues when he heard news of his death.

"The loss of both officers from a backcountry avalanche event is a tremendous loss for Nelson and we are here to support them as they navigate through this difficult time," said Mike Farnworth, thanking first responders and health-care staff for thehelp they provided followingthe incident.

An online fundraiserfor both officer's families had raised nearly $80,000 as of Saturday afternoon.