Law enforcement officials from throughout the nation gathered in Ottawa Sunday for a somber event.
The final Sunday in September is the Nationwide Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, the place those that died within the line of responsibility up to now yr are remembered.
13 names have been added to the honour roll this yr, together with 11 from the final yr: Toronto Police Service Const. Andrew Hong, South Simcoe Police Service constables Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell, RCMP constables Shaelyn Yang and Harvinder Dhami, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, Sgt. Eric Mueller, and Det. Const. Steven Tourangeau, Edmonton Police Service constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan, and Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Maureen Breau.
Additionally added this yr are two “historic” names: Canada Customs Officer James Mowat (1913) and RCMP Const. Vernon Genaille (2002).
“We wouldn’t miss it, however 11 officers this yr… it is not a great world anymore,” mentioned attendee Janis Gardiner-Petersen. “Yearly, you hope that you just don’t have any hats on the rostrum, however I don’t keep in mind there being greater than 11.”
Danny Smyth, president of the Canadian Affiliation of Chiefs of Police, referred to as the variety of officers being honoured this yr unprecedented in trendy historical past.
“It was touching to listen to their tales and study a bit of bit about their lives,” Smyth mentioned. “As you may see by their help right here and by the help they’ve had alongside the best way, they will keep in our reminiscence for a very long time.”
The memorial service got here simply two days after RCMP Const. Rick O’Brien was shot and killed in Coquitlam, B.C.
“We misplaced a police officer on Friday whereas all people was travelling right here to indicate help for the households which have made the largest sacrifice of all,” mentioned Canadian Police Affiliation president Tom Stamatakis. “It is essential that we collect and we present their family members that we keep in mind their family members.”
Officers marched in a parade down Wellington Avenue earlier than arriving at Parliament Hill for the memorial service, throughout which Governor Basic Mary Simon and Public Security Minister Dominic LeBlanc delivered remarks.
“It’s important for us to recollect and honour these officers who misplaced their lives within the line of responsibility,” mentioned Simon. “Day by day, police and law enforcement officials, corresponding to yourselves and people we’ve got misplaced, assist maintain our communities secure. You achieve this with out searching for reward or recognition. You achieve this as a result of it’s your responsibility. You achieve this as a result of it’s a dedication you’ve got made to your communities.”
The service ended with a procession previous the memorials for the fallen officers.
Retired Ottawa Police Service Det. Theresa Kelm led the ceremony, and skim memorials for the 11 officers who died up to now yr.
Who’re the fallen officers?
Toronto Police Const. Andrew Hong was shot and killed Sept. 12, 2022 at a Mississauga Tim Hortons. He was a 22-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service. He died in what police referred to as a “capturing spree” that additionally killed one other man. Hong was 48.
“Andrew was decided to be on the entrance line in policing with the group,” mentioned Kelm. “Andrew Hong fulfilled his dream to be a police officer with Toronto Police Service. Andrew joined the motorbike squad and this was the spotlight of his profession.”
South Simcoe Constables Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell have been killed on Oct. 11, 2022, whereas responding to a name for a home dispute in Innisfil, Ont. Northrup was 33 years outdated and had been with the pressure for six years. Russell was 54, a 33-year police veteran, a husband and father to 2 teenage kids.
“In 2016, Devon graduated from the Ontario police faculty and started his dream job with the South Simcoe Police Service,” Kelm described. “He was a devoted and passionate officer who completed a lot throughout his tragically transient profession.”
Jeff Carr attended the ceremony in Ottawa. Northrup was his nephew.
“He was an excellent man. He liked doing service to his group, he liked his household; he was an excellent particular person and he was taken far too quickly,” Carr mentioned.
“Constable Morgan Russell confirmed an curiosity in policing from a really younger age. Certainly, his closest relations usually recall Morgan having a miniature police automotive clutched in his hand when he was a bit of boy,” mentioned Kelm. “Morgan was a 33-year veteran of the service and was assigned to uniform patrol. He excelled in his place as a frontline officer and selected to stay on the job after changing into eligible for retirement and continued to serve within the function he liked on the highway.”
RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang was stabbed to loss of life Oct. 18, 2022 after responding to a name a few man in a tent at a park in Burnaby, B.C. She was 31, and had moved to Canada from Taiwan at a younger age.
“Along with her contributions to the group as a police officer, Shaelyn is remembered as a loving spouse, daughter, compassionate colleague, good friend, and canine mother.” Kelm mentioned. “Her household was very pleased with Shaelyn for giving all of herself and making this world a greater place.”
RCMP Const. Harvinder Dhami, 32, died in a crash close to the Saskatchewan River in Alberta on April 10, 2023, whereas driving to help different officers with a noise criticism. His car struck a concrete barrier and he died on the scene. Dhami, often known as “Harvey” by his colleagues, was a “hard-working go-getter.”
“Constable Dhami’s dedication to group service started early in life. He was an avid volunteer for the Langar on Wheels program in Brampton, Ont., established by the Punjabi Group Well being Providers, serving meals to aged people inside the group,” mentioned Kelm.
“Constable’s Dhami unwavering responsibility to serve the residents of Strathcona County and Albertans shone brightly by way of his actions.”
OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala died within the line of responsibility on Dec. 27, 2022, the day he accomplished his probationary interval with the Ontario Provincial Police. He was shot and killed whereas responding to a name for an incapacitated car close to Hagersville, Ont. He was 28.
“He upheld his oath with integrity, professionalism and braveness for the quick time he was with the OPP,” Kelm mentioned. “Colleagues describe Greg because the officer everybody needed to work with. He was often known as somebody with a giant coronary heart, and this mirrored in his work with the group.”
OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller responded to a capturing name in Bourget, Ont. on Might 11, 2023, the place he and two different officers have been “ambushed and shot” in response to OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. Mueller was 42, and was described by his colleagues as a coach, a mentor, somebody that everyone seemed as much as.
“Eric was a compassionate and caring man, generally often known as a mild large,” Kelm mentioned. “He was somebody you might at all times rely on, whatever the circumstances, for recommendation or to easily lend an ear… He led by instance and at all times represented the core values of the OPP by way of his actions, phrases and sense of responsibility.”
OPP Det. Const. Steven Tourangeau died Might 29, 2023, when his unmarked cruiser hit a faculty bus close to Woodstock, Ont. The college bus driver was additionally killed within the crash. Torangeau was 35.
“Steven was a household man, dwelling day by day placing his household first. He know the way to prioritize the essential issues in life and dwell day by day to the fullest,” mentioned Kelm. “Steven was described as the last word workforce participant and a mannequin police officer.”
Edmonton Police constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan have been shot and killed on March 16, 2023 whereas responding to a household dispute. The suspect was a 16-year-old boy. Jordan, 35, had served with the Edmonton Police Service for eight-and-a-half years, and Ryan, 30, had been with the pressure for five-and-a-half years.
“Travis’s recruit class described him as somebody who took initiative, confirmed perseverance, and was outgoing, reliable and reliable. His shut family and friends shared the identical sentiments,” mentioned Kelm. “On his days off, you might additionally discover him at one of many many golf programs round Alberta along with his golf buddies, having fun with the small issues in life.”
When describing Ryan’s life, Kelm famous that his spouse Ashley is presently anticipating the couple’s first youngster.
“His (Ryan’s) recruit class described his as having excellent interpersonal expertise, excelling at public talking and staying calm in anxious conditions,” Kelm mentioned. “Brett volunteered with minor hockey within the supervision program and loved being a hockey referee.”
Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Maureen Breau died March 27, 2023 in Louiseville, Que., about 100 km north of Montreal. The 20-year veteran of the pressure was stabbed whereas serving an arrest warrant. The 42-year-old was remembered as a mom, a daughter, and a policewoman who devoted her profession to maintaining folks secure.
“Throughout her profession with the Sûreté du Québec, she labored in numerous posts,” mentioned Kelm, in French. “Maureen was identified for her kindness, devotion and professionalism at work. She was a faithful partner and an attentive, loving mom.”
–With information from CTV Information Ottawa’s Natalie van Rooy, CTV Information Toronto, CTV Information Barrie, CTV Information Edmonton, CTV Information Vancouver, CTV Information Montreal, and The Canadian Press.