Sûreté du Québec says officer who died on duty in northern Quebec was from Gatineau

A Surete du Quebec logo is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Quebec provincial police say the officer who died in a collision in the province’s Côte-Nord region while on duty was from Gatineau.

Sgt. Anaïs Fortin-Cozzens died in hospital following a collision on Route 138 in Portneuf-sur-Mer, about 300 kilometres north of Quebec City, on Tuesday morning.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) said on its website on Wednesday that Fortin-Cozzens was a sergeant-investigator with the Major Crimes Investigation Division in Gatineau.

“We offer our deepest condolences to Sergeant Investigator Fortin-Cozzens’s spouse, children, family members, and colleagues,” the SQ said.

Gatineau police issued a statement Tuesday to offer condolences.

“Our hearts are with our brothers and sisters of the Sûreté du Québec, as well as the relatives of the investigator Fortin-Cozzens, and we offer them our most sincere condolences,” police said in a Facebook post, translated from French.

“In these difficult times, please know that we stand with you. The Police Department of the City of Gatineau stands by you.”

The Ottawa Police Service also offered condolences on social media on Tuesday, saying it is deeply saddened to learn of the death.

“On behalf of the Ottawa Police Service, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and all members of the Sûreté du Québec. We stand with our policing partners during this difficult time and honour the officer’s service, dedication, and sacrifice to her community,” Ottawa police said.

Quebec Premier François Legault and Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière also expressed condolences online. Legault called it a “tragic death” and Lafrienière said Fortin-Cozzens would never be forgotten.

Funeral details for Fortin-Cozzens have yet to be announced.