Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team says no charges will be laid against a Cape Breton Regional Police officer who struck and killed a 66-year-old man in North Sydney.

David Walsh, a retired volunteer firefighter, had been helping emergency responders care for a toddler who had fallen from a two-storey window when he was hit the afternoon of April 4.

SIRT says the boy had suffered what appeared to be a serious head injury and Walsh had called 911. They say several people, including emergency responders, neighbours and the boy’s grandparents, had gathered at the scene, which they describe as “somewhat chaotic.”

According to a news release, three police vehicles and an ambulance were parked on the street, which was narrowed by large snowbanks. Two officers were in a police vehicle speaking with Community Services when the ambulance started backing up.

SIRT says the officer started backing up to allow the ambulance to leave, but he failed to see Walsh standing behind the police vehicle, apparently helping with traffic. The police officer backed over Walsh, who passed away at the scene.

SIRT has determined the officer’s actions were at most “a mistake caused by momentary inattention” and do not constitute a criminal offence or justify charges under the Motor Vehicle Act.

“The driver, the police officer, was distracted by the circumstances of the situation and unfortunately made a mistake that led to a tragic result,” said SIRT director Ronald MacDonald.

“That does not equal a criminal offence.”

Suzanne Cordy, Walsh’s common-law partner of 23 years, says the news comes as a great relief to her.

"I saw the way you treated David and had David's head between your legs, trying to make him come around. You were a wonderful young man,” Cordy said.

She says she would one day like to speak with the officer in person, and is speaking out now to help him heal too.

"It was a mistake, honey. You're human, just like the rest of us,” Cordy said.

"Please continue with the good work you've been doing in the community. Stay a police officer, because this community needs police officers like you."

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald