Mounties gave a fallen police officer who grew up in the capital region a final salute on what would have been his 27th birthday.
Const. Michael Potvin drowned when his police boat capsized on the Stewart River in the Yukon, just north of Whitehorse, on July 13.
Potvin, who was new to the force, made sure a younger officer was safe before trying to swim to shore himself. Witnesses say he swam directly into a powerful undertow. His body was recovered on July 30.
Potvin was honoured by hundreds of people, including regiments of police officers and firefighters, at a memorial service at Saint Patrick's Basilica in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday.
Potvin joined the force one year ago and was posted to the RCMP detachment in Mayo, Yukon. He and his wife were just shy of celebrating their second wedding anniversary. His first child is expected next month.
Potvin's family has requested donations be made in lieu of flowers to the RCMP Foundation's Michael Potvin Remembrance Fund in support of the J.V. Clark School in Mayo, Yukon.
Anyone wishing to send their condolences can e-mail them to Condolences_Condoleances@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
