Quebec provincial police officer fatally stabbed during attempted arrest

A Quebec provincial police officer was killed while trying to arrest a man at a home in Louiseville, located in the province’s Mauricie region Monday night.

The police force confirmed in a news release Tuesday the death of Sgt. Maureen Breau, an officer with more than 20 years of experience. She leaves behind a husband – also a Sûreté du Québec officer – and two kids.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of Sergeant Breau’s death,” said Johanne Beausoleil, the provincial police chief. “Such an ordeal reminds us of the danger of the police profession when faced with extreme situations such as the one Sergeant Breau, her fellow police officers and the emergency workers who supported them during this intervention had to face.

“I offer my deepest condolences to her spouse, her children, her family and her colleagues.”

Surete du Quebec officer Maureen Breau, who was fatally stabbed on March 27, 2023. (Courtesy: Surete du Quebec-handout)

The 35-year-old male suspect was later shot and killed by other officers who arrived on the scene in Louiseville, Que., about 100 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

Quebec’s police watchdog, which is investigating, says Breau and another officer were arresting the man at about 8:30 p.m. for uttering threats when he grabbed a knife and stabbed Breau.

The Bureau des enquetes independante says the officers were in the process of reading the suspect his rights.

Police vehicle outside a building in Louiseville, Que., where a Surete du Quebec officer was stabbed to death on March 28, 2023. (Alyssia Rubertucci/CityNews)

The watchdog says another pair of officers arrived shortly afterwards, and one of them fatally shot the suspect.

Police say another officer was injured during the intervention, but their life is not in danger.

“I just wanted to say thanks for the support we received from a lot of people, citizens, police officers from Quebec, Canada,” said Patrice Cardinal, the SQ’s director of communications and international affairs. “So we really appreciate that because it’s a hard time for the Sureté du Québec, of course. And that reminds us of the dangers, anything can happen with a basic call for something like that.”

Suspect had history of violence behaviour, mayor says

Louiseville Mayor Yvon Deshaies told CityNews the suspect had history of violent behaviour.

“I learned this morning that the individual who came to Louiseville four months ago was previously institutionalized in Montreal,” said Deshaies. “His mental faculties were affected. I was disappointed when I found that out this morning. It was confirmed to me he had mental-health issues.

“So he came to Louiseville, nobody knew him, he rented that apartment – everything was OK. But three days later, he started making a ruckus, some trouble, it wasn’t working at all. He was very troubled.”

#WATCH: “I’m disappointed this morning, I find this difficult,” says Yvon Deshaies, Louiseville mayor, after SQ Sgt. Maureen Breau was stabbed to death responding to a call. He says the suspect, killed by other officers, had history of violent behaviour.https://t.co/SPMI7t1lFy pic.twitter.com/jsXjzboiOs

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) March 28, 2023

Deshaies says police went to the man’s home on more than one occasion.

“How was he allowed out? How was he allowed to rent an apartment alone?” asked the town’s mayor. “Even though he was bringing problems with him. The people who evaluated him – I don’t want to blame anyone – but how did they not see he was troubled? Always problems.

“Two days after coming here, he was screaming, he was arguing with people. He was intimidating them. It just wasn’t working. We could have avoided this.”

Officers outside a building in Louiseville, Que., where a Surete du Quebec officer was stabbed to death on March 28, 2023. (Alyssia Rubertucci/CityNews)

Town, politicians mourn officer’s death

Louiseville resident Jacqueline Grenier said she was sad to hear of the officer’s passing.

“These are people (police officers) who devote themselves to protect us,” she said. “What happened is terrible. Terrible, terrible.

“Her husband I believe was also a police officer. There must be so much grief in the family, among her friends. (The suspect) is leaving only tears behind him.”

Quebec Premier François Legault called the event appalling and offered his condolences.

“I want to offer all my condolences to the family of Maureen Breau and also all police people,” Legault said Tuesday afternoon. “They have a tough job, and of course we’ll have the BEI to see exactly what happened.”

Legault says more needs to be done to address mental-health issues in Quebec. The premier committed to making sure urgent cases are treated rapidly.

“For all mental care health, the challenge is really to attract more employees. So we’ll increase psychologist salaries in the current round of negotiations. Of course it will take some time to train all the people who are necessary.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the officer’s death as “heartbreaking.”

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who was in Edmonton Monday for the funeral of two police constables, called the number of deaths of police officers “unprecedented.”

“Our hearts and our condolences go out to the family of the officer of the Sûreté du Québec and to family of law enforcement generally,” said Mendicino. “There are no words. This is too many now. I’ve been to seven funerals for police officers.

“This is a difficult moment. It has been truly unprecedented in our country’s history. And we have to continue to find ways to support law enforcement in the way that they’re doing their work to keep our community safe. Particularly the families that are left to grieve without their loved ones.

“We have to find ways to support all of the families of victims who have been impacted by gun violence and violence generally. And we will do that. We will find new policies, new investments.”

Épouvantable. Toutes mes pensées accompagnent les collègues, les proches et la famille de la sergente Maureen Breau. https://t.co/xJaDHELV7r

— François Legault (@francoislegault) March 28, 2023

The news from Louiseville, Québec is heartbreaking. I’m sending my condolences to Sergeant Maureen Breau’s family, friends, and @SureteDuQuebec colleagues – and I’m wishing a fast and full recovery to the officer who was injured. We’re keeping you all in our thoughts.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 28, 2023

Officers came from other stations to support Cardinal’s team in the aftermath, with psychologists offering support as well.

“We try to give them support with PTSD, that’s our priority right now,” said Cardinal. “And the husband of sergeant Maureen was also an officer with the Sûreté du Québec, so we give him the support for him, his family.”

Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel offered condolences as well, saying he will never be able to thank them enough for their sacrifice.

—With files from Alyssia Rubertucci and Tina Tenneriello

https://t.co/kzKam2BeB6 pic.twitter.com/P0cvwaJj6T

— François Bonnardel (@fbonnardelCAQ) March 28, 2023

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of sergeant Maureen Breau who died last evening in the line of duty in tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are with you during these difficult times.@sureteduquebec pic.twitter.com/5I21Yffbx2

— Police Montréal (@SPVM) March 28, 2023