Partner of fallen cop honoured at national ceremony

I have a story on the Ottawa page of Xtra.ca today, which talks about the the death of a police officer, and his surviving partner's experiences since the accident. It was a difficult piece to write - an interview with someone whose spouse had died, and trying to be sensitive yet trying to find out more about what else was going on, such as the dispute with the family over the estate. That part of the story almost didn't make it in, as Blais was reluctant to talk about it, but emailed me a couple of days later, intent on sharing the story in order to show how other people in common law relationships are vulnerable in situations like this under the law. Already the feedback has been really positive, which I'm quite grateful for.