‘Bittersweet’ donation made in honour of fallen RCMP constable

By Sophie Dudley

BELLEVILLE – Friends and family members of RCMP Const. Gerald Fortis, along with members of the public, gathered at the Yardmen Arena Thursday morning to receive a donation in his name.

On Christmas Day in 1997 at the age of 32, Fortis died in a car accident while on duty in Chilliwack, B.C. Twenty years later, the Belleville native was honoured by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the city of Belleville.

Const. Gerald Fortis died in a car accident while on duty with the RCMP. He was about to return home on Christmas Day to see his family when his car struck a cement barrier, killing him instantly. He was 32 years old. Photo courtesy of thememorial.ca

An automated external defibrillator was donated by the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund – a non-profit organization dedicated to the donation of defibrillators to public buildings in the name of police, fire, ambulance and military officers who have died while serving the country.

Patrick Armstrong, a board member of the fund, opened the ceremony. “We are so honoured that this is our 85th defibrillator we have been able to donate since 2009,” he said. “We’ve had two lives saved so far” by the units.

This defibrillator is the first donated by the fund in this area, Armstrong said.

“It’s always bittersweet,” he said. “It’s difficult because it’s saying goodbye to another brother and honouring another fallen police officer.”

Mayor Taso Christopher, who knew Fortis growing up, echoed Armstrong.

“It’s a great opportunity and it’s good for the community,” said the mayor.

The city is honoured that Fortis – a Belleville boy – has not been forgotten, he said. The donation also makes the sports centre a lot safer, he added.

The ceremony was chance to thank the RCMP, Fortis’s family and front-line law enforcement, Christopher said. “We truly know that each day, you serve to protect,” he said, addressing the police officers in the audience.

Fortis’s brother, Michael Fortis, accepted the defibrillator and plaque on behalf of his brother and the rest of his family.

“I’m very honoured to be here. This is a good one. Every time we’re here or pass by. it’s like, ‘Hey, there’s my brother!'” Michael Fortis said. “My brother and his fallen comrades are still protecting the community and saving lives.”