Brad Anderson Suicide: Longtime Metro Toronto Police Force Officer Dies Following Long Battle With PTSD.
Allen Bradley “Brad” Anderson October 30, 1966 – April 6, 2024.
The family announces Brad’s loss after a protracted fight with PTSD with great sadness. Brad had a strong childhood involvement in Scouts Canada, where he earned his Chief Scout Award, developed a love of the outdoors, and continued to be engaged as a leader for many years. In 1995, he was awarded a Diamond Jubilee Medal and acknowledged by the Governor General for his prompt action while on a camping trip with his Scout group.
Brad began serving in 51 Division of the Metro Toronto Police Force in 1988 and remained there for the duration of his career. Among his major accomplishments were his service in the Public Order Unit and Forensics. In 1994, while serving with the Toronto Police, he and a few of his colleagues worked with Care Canada in Zaire to assist Rwandan refugees. For their efforts, they were given the Meritorious Service Medal.
He moved his family back home in 2000 to be nearer to extended family after he transferred to the Cape Breton Regional Police department following the birth of his lovely children. He was a member of the Emergency Response Team during the years they lived in Cape Breton. In 2004, he continued his career with the RCMP in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
He formed deep and enduring relationships with his RCMP family throughout his time in the North, and they continue to be his children’s extended family to this day. In order to serve the counties of Victoria and Inverness, he returned to Cape Breton in 2007. Being a well-respected member of the Waycobah community, he held a particular place in his heart for them. The great admiration and appreciation he received from all he came into contact with while performing his duties was a direct result of the respect and compassion he demonstrated to them.
Paula, the love of his life, was met by him when he got back to Cape Breton. They moved to Valley Mills after he retired in 2021, where he continued to pursue his love of music while enjoying the tranquility of exploring with his cherished dog, Gibson, and having his niece and nephew stay over.
Jane Anderson, Brad’s mother, passed away before him. Paula, his devoted spouse; Allen, his father; Erica (Donald); Anne (Etheridge); Grace, his stepdaughter; Jennifer (Mathieu); Chris, his nieces Lily and Kenzley, nephews Orrin and Logan; and his granddaughters Eleanor and Maeve (Anne) and Kio (Grace) survive him.
