Agapit Leblanc
Canadian Fishery officer (1887–1926)
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Agapit Leblanc (1887–1926) was a Canadian Fishery officer from Bouctouche, New Brunswick. He was 39 years old when he died on October 20, 1926, while investigating illegal smelt fishing.[1][2] He was the first Canadian Fishery officer to be murdered while on duty.[3][4][5][6][7] His body was found in the Bouctouche Bay on October 24, 1926,[8][9] weighted down with rocks. His murderers were never found.[3] Doctors testified that Leblanc's face had been shot with numerous small pellets from an apparent long-range distance due to the minor skin damage he received. They stated that Leblanc also suffered non-fatal blows, ultimately dying from shock.[9]
Agapit Leblanc | |
|---|---|
Fishery officer Agapit Leblanc. | |
| Born | 1887 Bouctouche, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Died | 1926 (aged 38–39) Bouctouche, New Brunswick |
| Occupation | Fishery officer |
| Known for | Murdered in the line of duty |
According to his family, Leblanc had received anonymous death threats in the weeks prior to his murder, including a picture of a coffin with the annotation:[3]
- Voici ton cercueil si tu n'arrêtes pas de venir nous trouver sur la mer
- Here's your coffin if you don't stop coming to find us on the sea.[3]
They pointed out that the murder occurred during the prohibition of alcohol in Canada.[3]
Namesake of a Hero-class vessel
In 2011 the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that the nine new vessels of what had been known as the "mid-shore patrol vessels" would be named after individuals known for their heroism, who had died in the line of duty.[4][5][6][7] The seventh of the nine vessels was named after Leblanc. Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans officiated at her commissioning on July 9, 2015.