RCMP interviewer regrets saying 'you saved your life' to officer who killed Don Dunphy

The police officer who told RNC Const. Joe Smyth he saved his own life after Smyth killed Don Dunphy says he now regrets the statement.

Sgt. Monty Henstridge, who was taking a statement from Smyth the day after the 2015 shooting, told the Dunphy inquiry that he thought the statement was true — but now believes it was not smart.

"It can be perceived by the general public as me having made my mind up before hand and it was probably ill-advised to make that statement." said Henstridge.

• 'You saved your life,' RCMP officer tells Smyth the day after he fatally shot Don Dunphy

Smyth was in Mitchells Brook on April 5, 2015 to speak with Dunphy about some tweets that criticized provincial politicians, including then-premier Paul Davis.

Smyth said he shot at Dunphy four times after Dunphy pulled a 22-calibre rifle on him. 

At the inquiry Thursday, Henstridge explained why he tried to comfort Smyth with the information that Dunphy's gun was loaded. 

"At that time, I was thinking that this was a piece of information that would have a very limited impact on the outcome of the investigation but would have had a huge impact on Const. Smyth's well-being," Henstridge said.

Smyth RCMP statement video

8 years ago

Duration 4:09

Video of RCMP officer telling RNC Const. Joe Smyth that Don Dunphy's rifle was loaded.

Emotional reaction to tragedy

Henstridge said he felt strong empathy for Meghan Dunphy and Smyth after witnessing the living room where Don Dunphy died.

"Certain scenes sometimes strike you differently than others, in terms of your emotional reaction to them," said Henstridge.

I'm not sure I would have made it out. I'm not sure if I would have made it back to my family- Monty Henstridge

"The whole situation appeared tragic. You had an elderly gentleman in a small community. You had a daughter, an only child, that was without a father and you had a police officer who at least at that point believed had to do something that normally he wouldn't want to do."

Henstridge said he was also left questioning what would have happened if he had been in Smyth's shoes that day.

"I also remember thinking that if it was me in that situation, I'm not sure I would have made it out. I'm not sure if I would have made it back to my family," he said.

After investigating the shooting, the RCMP concluded that Smyth had used appropriate force and no charges were laid.

A public inquiry into Don Dunphy's death is expected to hear witnesses until March 8.