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Police officer shot and killed in northern Quebec, second officer wounded

By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 03/3/2013 8:44 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/3/2013 6:16 PM

A shoulder patch for the Kativik Police in Kuujjuaq, Que., is shown in this Friday March 28, 2008 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom Hanson

KUUJJUAK, Que. - Members of a small northern Quebec community were reeling Sunday after a police officer was shot and killed Saturday night while responding to a domestic dispute.

"Everybody's in shock and disbelief," said Johnny Adams, a former councillor in Kuujjuaq, on the death of Const. Steve Dery, 27, who was originally from the Ottawa area.

"We're just praying for the families involved."

Dery had worked for the Kativik Regional Police Force for the past several years, according to Helene Sauvageau, a spokeswoman for the family.

The family is asking for privacy, she said.

Sgt. Ronald McInnis of Quebec provincial police said a second officer was wounded in the incident but his life wasn't in danger.

McInnis said the officers responded to a call in the community, about 1,600 kilometres northeast of Montreal. A man and a woman were at the home when police arrived.

Shots were fired at the officers shortly after they got to the scene, McInnis said.

"The two police officers were transported to the hospital. One of them died," McInnis said.

McInnis said the woman managed to escape without injury.

Officers remained at the scene during a lengthy standoff with the man, who remained inside the home. Police found the man dead inside Sunday afternoon and believe he committed suicide.

The Kativik Regional Police Force was created in 1996 to serve communities in Nunavik, which comprises the northern third of the province.

Kuujjuaq is the largest village in the region, with a population of about 2,400.

A spokeswoman for the Kativik Regional Police Force referred a request for comment back to the provincial police.

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