Mountie Frank Deschnes was 'one of the golden ones,' funeral hears

Nova Scotia RCMPConst. Francis (Frank)Deschnes, who was killed while helpingstranded motoristschange a tire last week near Memramcook, was "one of the golden ones," his friendDave Connors said during an emotional regimental funeral in Moncton on Wednesday.

"Frank touchedeach andevery one of us in a positive way, which made us all better for knowing him," said Connors, his voice breaking as he delivered the eulogy in the packed St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

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Several hundred Mounties, police officers,first responders and military personnel from across the country gatheredto pay their respects to the 12-year veteran of the national police force.

Connors described "Frankie"as a "great man" and "incredible police officer;" someone he looked up to.

Watch the eulogy for Const. Frank Deschnes

7 years ago

Duration 11:38

Nova Scotia RCMP Const. Francis (Frank) Deschnes, was "one of the golden ones," his friend Sgt. Dave Connors said during an emotional regimental funeral in Moncton on Wednesday.Deschnes"absolutelyloved his job, and it showed every time he put on his uniform," Connorssaid.

"The most important thing to Frank was to be there, to be the one that helps people that need help.To be the one that can turn the negative into a positive for complete strangers.

"We lostConst.Deschnesdoing exactly thathelping someone that needed help."

Deschenes, 35, anative ofSainte-Anne-de-Madawaskain northern New Brunswick, died last Tuesday night when he pulled over on the Trans-Canada Highwayto help two people in an SUV.

A cargo van collided with his marked police cruiser and the SUV, RCMPhave said.

The man who was allegedly driving the van was arrested but later released. No charges have been laid, but theNew BrunswickRCMPare investigating.

The 2 p.m. funeral was closed to the public, although mourners linedMoncton'sdowntown streets to watch the procession along Assomption Boulevard, up Downing Streetto the church on BotsfordStreet.

• RCMP seek witnesses to van in crash that killed N.S. Mountie
• Mountie killed helping motorists near Memramcook had history of going 'the extra mile'

Chantal LeBlanc was among them. She didn't knowDeschnesbut felt it was important to show support.

"It's awful what happened,"she said. "If it wasn't for these guys here likethese guys are our protection. So I feel it's very important for people to be here today."

RCMPestimated at least 600 military, police and first responders would bemarching. Several streets were closed, starting at 10 a.m.

Members of the RCMP's traffic services, which Deschnesserved with in Amherst, rode their motorcycles, and two Mounties on horseback led the hearse to the church.

Many people took photographs. Some construction workers at a nearby site also stopped to watch.

Eight Mounties dressed in their red serge uniforms carried the casket, draped in a Canadian flag, into the silent church. One officer then gently placedDeschnes'sStetson hat on top.

His widow,Savannah (Bennett), hunched over and wept as she placed a red rose on the casket. She andDeschneshad married in the same church just four months ago.

"Sav, you were his world, his rock,"Connorssaid. "You made him the happiest man when he got to make you his wife."

'Consummate Mountie'

Daniel Dubeau, theRCMP acting commissioner, offered condolences to the family.

"I know the pain we are feeling as Frank's friends and colleagues cannot compare to the enormous loss you are feeling," he said.

"Like you, I am struggling to understand why this happened and to make sense of this senseless loss.

"One thing is certain, Frank did not die in vain."

He died as he lived, in service of others, said Dubeau.

And whileDeschnes'slife and his calling were cut short, the "consummate Mountie"accomplished a great deal during his career, and was "deeply committed" to keeping roads and highways safe, he said.

The outpouring of support the family and RCMP have received since his death is a testament to that, said Dubeau, sharing a story about a young boy who visited the Bible Hill detachment whereDeschnes used to work and offered his entire collection of Pokmon hero cards "so that every Mountie could have a hero to protect him."

He was the guy who did the right thing when no one was watching and that is exactly what Frank was doing when he lost his life.- Brian Brennan, assistant commissioner N.S. RCMP

Deschneswill live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he knewand every time someone stops to "give someone a hand," they will keep his spirit alive, said Dubeau.

"We will not forget him."

Assistant commissioner Brian Brennan, the commanding officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, said he did not know Deschnes personally, but feels he knew him through his actions and how he lived his life.

"He served his country and was committed to something much larger than himself of which there is nothing more honourable," said Brennan.

"He was the guy who did the right thing when no one was watching, and that is exactly what Frank was doing when he lost his life."

Deschnesserved unselfishly with integrity and respect and touched many people's lives in ways others will never know, said Brennan, noting thousands have shared their condolences through books set up at several detachments, or via email.

He said one woman wrote, "I will never forget you Const. Deschnes, it was a brief exchange but what you did for me that day changed my life forever."

About 60 members of the Defenders motorcycle groupDeschnesbelonged to travelled from as far away as Ottawa to attend the funeral.

"There's a lot of what we call man hugs going on, a lot of broken hearts, but it feels better to be together," said friend RandyThurberof the Defenders, whose members include Canadian military,RCMPand Coast Guard personnel.

They started their ride "with a little wave by where Frank's spiritmay have left," he said, referring to the highwaycrash site.

Several dignitaries attended the service, including: New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, Lt.-Gov.Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau,Nova Scotia Attorney GeneralMark Furey, MonctonMayor Dawn Arnold and Amherst Mayor Davig Kogon.

Funeral for Const. Frank Deschenes takes place in Moncton

7 years ago

Duration 0:54

Const. Frank Deschenes is laid to rest in Moncton Wednesday.