Officer Killed in BC Avalanche Was Mentor to Younger Officers: Chief

Nelson Police Constable Wade Tittemore poses in this undated handout photo. The Canadian Press/HO - City of Nelson

A Nelson, B.C., police officer who died in an avalanche earlier this week is being remembered as a gentle man who looked out for those who were new to the force.

Const. Wade Tittemore, 43, died Monday while off-duty, skiing with a colleague just north of Kaslo, B.C.

Nelson police Chief Donovan Fisher said Tuesday that Tittemore will be missed terribly in the small force of 20 officers.

Fisher called Tittemore a hard worker, a skilled officer and a dedicated family man who was a mentor and example to many junior officers.

Tittemore was a 15-year veteran officer who worked for the Calgary Police Service before moving to Nelson four years ago.

In a statement, the police service says it is grieving alongside the Nelson Police Department and “will remember how proudly Const. Tittemore served Calgarians and residents of Nelson.”

Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison said Tittemore was passionate about getting outdoors and into the backcountry and loved ski touring and backpacking.

Fisher said an RCMP chaplain who happened to be staying at a hotel in Nelson on an unrelated matter when the tragedy unfolded had volunteered to speak to grieving officers.

The chief said support workers trained to help officers after a critical incident will be made available to those who are grieving.

A second Nelson police officer swept up in the avalanche, 28-year-old Const. Mathieu Nolet, was critically injured and is being cared for in a hospital ICU.

Tittemore leaves behind a wife and two sons.