RCMP Officer, Ron Francis, Found Dead

The sensationalized RCMP officer, Cpl. Ron Francis, has been found dead on Monday afternoon at the Kingsclear First Nations community. Francis' history with post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues has sparked quite the controversy surrounding the specifics of his death, however; details of his death have not been released.

The New Brunswick Mountie made headlines last fall when he appeared on CBC smoking marijuana while in uniform. Francis was legally prescribed medical marijuana to aid in his suffering of PTSD. Serving over 21 years on the force, Francis attributes his PTSD from his traumatic, first hand accounts as an RCMP officer. Francis insisted that he should be allowed to smoke medical marijuana while in uniform because it was a prescription drug. He had also voiced his concerns on the lack of support for PTSD suffers in the RCMP community and had hoped that his publicity on the topic would bring more attention to mental health issues.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner, Roger Brown, addresses the media after the death of Cpl. RCMP officer Ron Francis. (Photo Credit: RCMP)

Following the appearance, Francis was stripped of his serge uniform and was discharged from the RCMP on medical leave. During his absence from the force, Francis struggled with PTSD and was allegedly confronted by some of his co-workers in an effort to bring him to a hospital. In a string of violent behaviour, Francis was arrested and pleaded guilty to assaulting four fellow RCMP officers and was to be sentenced next month.

“The RCMP had been working with Ron to do everything we could to get him the support he had asked for and needed[...]Ron helped shine light on post-traumatic stress disorder affecting emergency responders. Mental illness is something that still carries a stigma and it is important as a society that we not only continue to talk about this very real issue but work to find ways to address it,” says RCMP Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown in his statement regarding death of Cpl. Ron Francis.

Photo Credit: Facebook