Constable Joe Prevett of the Thunder Bay police department was originally from Chatham. Prevett died yesterday after collapsing during a training exercise. Photo Thunder Bay Police Service
By Greg Holden
The member of the Thunder Bay police department who died yesterday after training his K9 partner, was originally from Chatham.
Constable Joe Prevett was participating in a K-9 training exercise near Gravenhurst, Ontario at about 10:45 a.m. yesterday morning when he collapsed. He was rushed to hospital in medical distress and died a short time later.
Constable Prevett was participating in a training course with the Ontario Provincial Police along with his new police service dog Timber. His father James Prevett said his son left Chatham when he was 20 years old.
Constable Prevett began his policing career in 1998 with Peel Regional Police. He became a member of the Thunder Bay Police Service in 2003. Joe was a member of the Emergency Task Unit of the T.B.P.S. where he was assigned as a police service dog handler. He leaves a wife and family behind. He was 50 years old.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
The Ministry of Labour and the OPP are investigating the incident.
