Nathan Desjardins
Nathan Desjardins
Nathan Desjardins was a police officer with the Fryeburg Police Department. On June 6, 2017 he died from injuries from an on-duty boating accident where he was searching for a missing canoeist on the Saco River over Memorial Day weekend. [1]
Personal Life
Nathan Desjardins grew up in the Kennebec County, Maine town of Albion, Maine, graduating in 2014 from Lawrence High School.
Career
Nathan Desjardins had been a part-time officer with the Fryeburg Police Department.
He was also a full-time nursing student at the University of New England. He was applying for a position in the Waterville Police Department at the time of his accident. He also was a volunteer fireman with the Albion Fire Department and was pursuing his EMT certification. [undefined]
Death
On May 27, 2017 Nathan Desjardins was participating in his first day of water rescue training when he and his training officer were dispatched to assist with the rescue of three boaters who had been thrown overboard when their canoes capsized.
One of the missing boaters drowned during the incident.
[undefined] Officer Desjardins' patrol boat struck a submerged object in the water as it came around a bend in the river.
Both officers were thrown overboard and Officer Desjardins suffered a severe head injury.
[undefined] Both officers were flown to Central Maine Medical Center where Officer Desjardins remained in a coma until succumbing to his injuries on June 6th, 2017. [undefined]
The Maine Warden Service is investigating the boating accident.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the warden service wrote, “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Desjardins family and Fryeburg Police Department during this most difficult time.”
Police Chief Potvin said Desjardins’ death has left members of his department with heavy hearts and great sadness.
“During this extremely difficult time of mourning the loss of one of my own, I have to find the words and strength to inspire my officers, to motivate them and reassure them that together we will be OK and still have a job to do,” Potvin said.
“On behalf of your fellow brothers and sisters at Fryeburg Police, rest in peace buddy, we’ll take it from here.
UNE President Danielle Ripich said in a statement Wednesday:
“The University of New England is deeply saddened at the news that Nathan Desjardins, a nursing student here at UNE, has died.
Nate lost his life while working to save others in his duties as a Fryeburg police officer.
It was his passion for helping people that made him a gifted nursing student, and he will always be a part of the UNE family.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family.”
The reaction to his death drew responses from senators Susan Collins and Angus King:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Nathan’s passing,” Sens.
Susan Collins and Angus King said in a joint statement issued Wednesday night.
“Nathan bravely put himself in harm’s way to serve and protect the community he loved.
Today, we join with the people of Maine in mourning his loss, but we will always recall with gratitude in our hearts his selfless service to our state.”