Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron was called “passionate,” “humble” and “fearless” by those who knew him at home, and a “gifted special operator and a great leader” by those he fought alongside.

Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron:

  • 31 years old
  • Member of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, based at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario
  • Grew up in Moncton, N.B.
  • Went to high school in Dieppe, N.B., graduating in 2001
  • Said he wanted to fight terrorism in his yearbook – “antiterrorisme," he wrote in French
  • Body expected to be returned to Canada early in the week, no specifics yet

Quotes:

“From the time I knew him, he was already a very passionate and very determined guy. He knew what he wanted, he was honest, he was true to his word. Charismatic. Funny. Humble. Sensitive. Very strong. He didn’t try fitting the mould. He was who he was. He surrounded himself with what made him happy. He was a great guy. He really had a passion for what he did. He didn’t see it as a job, he saw it as a calling. He was fearless. He was definitely a hero.”

-Stephanie Learmouth, friend of Sgt. Doiron’s, on CTV News Channel

“Every member of Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command feels a great loss at Drew’s passing. He was a gifted special operator and a great leader. He loved his job and the people he soldiered with. We grieve with Drew’s family and extend our condolences to them. Our thoughts are also with our three injured operators. We will bring Drew home with all dignity and wrap our arms around our injured Brothers and we will carry on with our important mission in Iraq.”

-Brigadier-General Michael Rouleau, Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

In a brief statement Sunday, Doiron's family asked for privacy as they grieve their loss.

"Our son gave all and through his loss, we gave all," the family said. "We've lost our beloved son and we kindly ask the media to give our family space and privacy to grieve."

On Tuesday, a repatriation ceremony for Doiron will take place at CFB Trenton in Ontario. A motorcade will then transport Doiron’s body to a coroner’s office in Toronto.