Shot B.C. Mountie has endured surgeries, complications, but is recovering: wife

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KAMLOOPS, B.C. – There may finally be relief from the pain and suffering forced on the Michaud family when their RCMP husband and father was shot during a traffic stop in British Columbia’s Interior.

Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud’s wife, Colleen, said in a statement issued Tuesday that her husband is expected to overcome the injuries he sustained Dec. 3, 2014, in Kamloops.

Her update follows the recent shooting of two Alberta Mounties, and serves as part public thank you to the city and force that supported her and part condolence letter to the families of the RCMP officers involved in the shooting in St. Albert, Alta.

“Jean-Rene has endured many surgeries, countless complications with setbacks, and will still have a long road to recovery; but he has shown courage and strength every step of the way,” she said.

“We are finally feeling confident that he will overcome his substantial injuries, and we are hoping he will be medically stable enough to transport back to Royal Inland Hospital shortly.”

The family’s nightmare began when the Kamloops corporal, wearing a bullet-proof vest, performed an early morning traffic stop.

Local resident Dennis Maruschy said at the time it sounded like “one guy emptying a clip – pop, pop, pop, pop.”

It wasn’t long before the “the knock on the door” shattered Colleen Michaud’s world and she learned her husband had been shot multiple times and was critically injured.

After an hours-long police search, Kenneth Knutson, 36, was arrested and has since been charged with attempted murder using a firearm, aggravated assault of a peace officer, possession of a firearm while prohibited, and discharging a firearm with intent to wound.

Knutson remains in custody at Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre and is due back in court Thursday for a potential bail hearing.

In the days following the shooting, Jean-Rene Michaud survived two surgeries, but police reported just before Christmas that he had been sent to a Vancouver hospital due to medical complications.

Colleen Michaud said her husband is a loving father of two children, supportive, hardworking and proactive, as well as a dedicated Mountie who has a passion for making communities safe.

She said since the shooting her family has received overwhelming support from local residents and the RCMP.

“Your messages have given me strength in the darkest of days, and I know they will help Jean-Rene throughout his recovery.”

She also offered her condolences to the families of RCMP Const. David Wynn and auxiliary Const. Derek Bond in Alberta. Wynn died after the shooting at a St. Albert casino and Bond was wounded by the same man who later took his own life.

“I am deeply saddened and angry that two more families are experiencing similar pain over the recent, senseless act of violence in Alberta,” she said.

“These members are people who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. They are sons, fathers, husbands, and integral members of the communities they live and serve in. What happened to them is completely unacceptable.”

(CFJC)

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