Authorities say there was a deadly fire at the home of Doug Palson west of Winnipeg. Photo: Facebook
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) is investigating a house fire that is believed to have claimed the life of its chief of police Wednesday.
Sherri Thomas, chair of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, said the fatality occurred at Doug Palson’s home near Portage la Prairie, a small city about an hour west of Winnipeg.
“Although the investigation is on-going, we believe Chief Palson was the victim of this tragic incident,” Thomas said in a statement posted on the MNFPS Facebook page.
“Manitoba First Nation Police Service is working closely alongside the Manitoba RCMP, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner during this process.”
Portage la Prairie RCMP said they received a report of a structure fire at a residence in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie, north of High Bluff, at 4:50 a.m.
“Once the fire was extinguished, investigators discovered human remains in the home,” said RCMP in a news release. “The identity of the deceased has yet to be confirmed but it believed to be Chief Doug Palson.”
Thomas said Palson was a “passionate leader who loved our police service and its members who serve our 10 First Nation communities with pride and respect.”
Palson began his law enforcement career in Brandon, Man., in 1988 before joining the Dakota Ojibway Police Service outside Portage. He was the police chief for seven years before serving six years at the helm of the Dryden Police Service in Ontario.
Manitoba First Nations leaders called Palson’s death “a terrible loss”.
Cornell McLean, acting grand chief of the Southern Chiefs Organization, said Palson led with compassion, integrity and an approach grounded in the seven sacred teachings.
“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” McLean said in a release.
Cornell noted it would be a difficult investigation for those probing the death of one of their own.
“We stand with the MFNPS as they work with Manitoba RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner to investigate the circumstances of the deadly fire.”
Betsy Kennedy, acting grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and Willie Moore, Manitoba regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations, said Palson was an exemplary leader.
“In his own words, the vision he aspired to was, ‘Be safe. Be Kind. And take care of each other,'” they said in a joint release.
“His passing is an incredible loss to his family, the police service, and the 10 First Nations that he served with such pride and respect.”
