Solved case · 2006
Also known as Spiritwood Incident
The short answer
On July 7, 2006, a routine assault call in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, escalated into a 27-kilometre police pursuit and shootout in which RCMP Constables Robin Cameron and Marc Bourdages were fatally shot and Constable Michelle Knopp was wounded; Curtis Alfred Dagenais was later convicted of first-degree murder in both deaths.
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Suggest coverage for this caseOn July 7, 2006, three RCMP officers from the Spiritwood, Saskatchewan detachment — Constables Robin Cameron, 29, Marc Bourdages, 26, and Michelle Knopp — responded to a report of an assault at a home near their detachment. A man later identified as Curtis Alfred Dagenais, 41, fled the scene in a pickup truck. The officers pursued him, and the chase covered approximately 27 kilometres before ending near the community of Mildred, about 27 kilometres from Spiritwood.
During the pursuit, gunfire was exchanged between the officers and Dagenais. All three officers discharged their weapons, but none hit Dagenais. Cameron and Bourdages were each shot once in the head through their patrol car's windshield, and Knopp was struck by bullet fragments in the arm, ear, and torso. Dagenais then abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. Staff Sergeant Barry Thomas, working in nearby Shellbrook, received a call for backup and was among the first officers to reach the scene. Cameron died of her wounds on July 15, 2006, and Bourdages died early the following morning, on July 16. Bullet fragments from the shooting remained embedded in Knopp's ear, arm, and torso.
A large-scale manhunt for Dagenais followed. While evading capture, he mailed a five-page letter defending his actions to the Edmonton Sun. After twelve days on the run, Dagenais turned himself in to the RCMP's Spiritwood detachment on July 18, 2006, without incident.
Dagenais stood trial in 2009 before Justice Gerald Allbright at the Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He argued that he had not intentionally shot the officers, claiming he fired in self-defence and blind panic after believing the officers had rammed his truck and fired first. The Crown argued that Dagenais fired first and intentionally shot the officers. Following two days of jury deliberation, Dagenais was found guilty on March 12, 2009, of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He is not eligible for parole until 2031.
Dagenais was granted an appeal date in September 2012, set for October 25 of that year. The appeal was dismissed on all three points after less than ten minutes of jury deliberation.
Constable Michelle Knopp, the surviving officer, was awarded the Medal of Bravery on February 26, 2009, which was formally invested on May 6, 2011.
RCMP Constables Cameron, Bourdages, and Knopp respond to an assault complaint in Spiritwood; a 27-km vehicle pursuit and shootout ensues involving Curtis Alfred Dagenais.
Constable Robin Cameron dies of her gunshot wound.
Constable Marc Bourdages dies of his gunshot wound.
Curtis Alfred Dagenais turns himself in to the RCMP Spiritwood detachment after twelve days evading capture.
Jury finds Dagenais guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Constable Michelle Knopp is awarded the Medal of Bravery.
Knopp's Medal of Bravery is formally invested.
Dagenais is granted an appeal date, set for October 25, 2012.
Dagenais's appeal is dismissed on all three points after less than 10 minutes of jury deliberation.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
RCMP Constable, 26, fatally shot in the head during the pursuit; died July 16, 2006[3]
RCMP Constable, wounded by bullet fragments in the arm, ear, and torso; survived and was later awarded the Medal of Bravery[3]
RCMP Constable, 29, fatally shot in the head during the pursuit; died July 15, 2006[3]
Convicted on March 12, 2009, of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder; appeal dismissed in 2012; not eligible for parole until 2031[3]
From the record
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