Father of fallen Quebec police officer says son's killer should have never had access to guns

The father of apolice officer killed on the job in Lac-Simon, Que., in February2016 says the man who shot his son should not have had access to guns.

Michel LeRouxhas written to federal Public Safety Minister RalphGoodaleasking for changes in the law to do more to prevent people with serious mental illness from having guns.

His26-year-old son, Thierry LeRoux,was shot twice in the back at close range after he and a colleague responded to a 911 call about a man threatening to commit suicide in the Algonquin communitynearVal-d'Or, Que.,about 500 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

Investigators concluded LeRouxwas killed by 22-year-oldJoseph Anthony RaymondPapatie. They said Papatie thenturned the gun on himselfand died.

• Father of slain Lac-Simon police officer 'disgusted' by coroner's report
• 'Shortcomings' in procedure contributed to Lac-Simon police officer's shooting death, report says

Coroner's report cites 'excessive confidence'

Michel LeRoux says he decided to writeGoodale after reading the coroner's report into his son's death last montha report he feels placed too much blame on his son.

LeRoux, had only been with the Lac-Simonpolice servicefor six months at the time of his death.

He had previously worked with the Katavik Regional Police, serving Inuit communities in Nunavik.

Coroner Jean-Franois Lcuyerconcludedthe officeracted too quickly and took steps that did not conform to his police training.

"It's possible OfficerThierryLeRouxacted with excess confidence," Lcuyersaid in his report

The report also found that both officersshould have approached Papatiewith their guns in hand, instead of LeRouxgoing on his own to meet him.

"It's pretty easy to saythat if the officer is down on duty, it's because it's his own fault,"LeRouxtold CBC.

Instead, LeRoux wants the focus to be on preventing access to guns for those who are mentally ill.

The authorities should never have allowed our son's killer to own weapons.- Michel LeRoux, father of slain officer ThierryLeRoux

"We need to prevent the possession of guns by people who have demonstrated behaviour that is suicidal, violent, threatening or associated with a mental illness, regardless of the nature of the illness,"LeRouxwrote in the letter toGoodale.

"The authorities should never have allowed our son's killer to own weapons."

LeRoux had returned guns to killer, father learned

Under the Firearms Act, when people apply for a licence to possess and acquire a firearm in Canada, they are asked several questionsabout their personal history. The questions includewhether they haveattempted suicide or have been treated for depression, substance abuse or behaviour problems. The licence must be renewed every five years.

There are also special provisionsfor Indigenouspeople in Canada to help complete applications. If an applicant is turned down, the personcan ask an elderor community leader to confirm why it is important for applicant to be allowed to take part in traditional hunting.

LeRouxis not aware of how Papatieobtained his guns, or if he had any special adaptations. Buthe said there was "a failure, somewhere, with what's in the law or the application of it."

LeRoux saw a separate report, done by the Sret du Qubecinvestigators who looked intothe case, when he was presented with their findings at a meeting at theoffice of the Crown prosecutor in Quebec City.

He said he was not given a copy, and it has not been made public.

LeRoux said the report stated that on Sept.3, 2015, his son was ordered to return three guns to Papatiethat had been previously confiscated by police when he was in hospital.

"Why in September 2015 [did] we return the guns to Mr. Papatie?"he asks.

Hesaid he's also disappointedthe coroner didn't address thatfindingin his report.

The coroner saidin a separate report, this one on the death of Papatie,that local police had been involved in several interventions with him over the years when he expressed suicidal thoughtsand had transportedhim to hospital in Val-d'Oron more than one occasion for treatment.

Only one recommendation came out of the reports into both men's deaths.

Lcuyersaid the local health agency should find a way to ensure that anyone who comes to local hospitals with suicidal thoughts should be informed of suicide prevention services in the region and resources to help with psychological distress.

Better treatment,training needed

Aside from restricting weapons for those who are suffering from major mental illness, LeRouxsaid he would like to seebetter safeguards in place for first responders.

He is also calling for better treatment of people with mental illness in remote communities.

"Special efforts should be made to better treat the range of mental illnesses that affect, in particular, people who live in disadvantaged areas with high drug and alcohol abuse, even if those people do not want to be treated," LeRouxwrote in his letter to Goodale.

Last summer LeRouxwas involved in establishing a fund in his son's name for the community.

The fundwill be used to pay forschool and sporting activities for Indigenous youth in Lac-Simon and other communities in the MRC de la Valle-de-l'Or.

• Father of slain Lac-Simon officer explains why a new fund for Indigenous youth means so much

He told CBC he feels driven to speakout for better safety for new police officers workingin remote communities.

"I abandoned my son once," he said."I won't abandon him again."