Tragic Loss of Ottawa Police Officer
Sgt. Robert Cleroux, a dedicated member of the Ottawa Police Service for approximately 28 years, died by suicide on Friday evening. His passing has prompted a renewed focus on mental health issues within the policing community.
Cleroux is survived by his wife and two children, leaving a profound impact on both his family and colleagues. The Ottawa Police Association president, Matthew Cox, expressed his sorrow, stating, “He was one of those guys that you knew would always be there to have your back.” This sentiment reflects the deep respect and camaraderie Cleroux fostered during his long career.
In light of Cleroux’s death, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has taken over the investigation to ensure impartiality, as it is standard practice to avoid OPS members investigating their own. Authorities have indicated that the death is not believed to be suspicious.
Cleroux had recently been off work and was serving as an acting staff sergeant in the south end neighbourhood division. His contributions to community programs were well-known, and he was regarded as a figure of inspiration by many, including Rideau-Vanier City Councillor Stéphanie Plante, who remarked, “He was a very special human and inspired me a lot to do a lot of really innovative and cool different things.”
The Ottawa Police Service acknowledged the difficulty of this news, stating, “This is difficult news for our service.” In the wake of this tragedy, discussions surrounding mental health and suicide prevention in policing have gained urgency.
Cox emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about suicide within the profession, noting, “We need to start to normalize [discussion of] suicide as it is something that does happen and it does unfortunately happen a lot in the profession of policing.” This call to action highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement personnel.
As the community mourns the loss of Cleroux, there is a growing recognition of the need for support systems for officers dealing with mental health issues. Cleroux, affectionately known as ‘Bobby’ by his colleagues, will be remembered not only for his service but also for his commitment to community engagement.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific circumstances leading to his death, but the impact of his loss is being felt widely across the Ottawa community and the police service.
