Northwest Mounted Police
Federal
End of Watch: Thursday, December 26, 1901
Cause: Drowned
Biographical Info
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 3463 Constable Spencer Heathcote was stationed at the Stikine River just inside the Canadian Boundary.
While on patrol with fellow officers Constable Norman Campbell and Constable Michael Fitzgerald, they were attempting to reach Wrangell, Alaska to take some holiday leave. They were in an old boat that was described as old-fashioned and not reliable. During the crossing a very violent storm hit the area. The officers were thrown into the water and attempted to reach shore. Only Constable Fitzgerald made it to shore suffering severe hypothermia. He somehow managed to survive the ordeal. Constable Campbell and Constable Heathcote were not as fortunate. They perished in the water.
Constable Heathcoate's body was found on May 10, 1901. Constable Campbell's body was never recovered. | 
