A 28-year-old police officer was shot while on duty near a town in Ontario as he responded to reports of a car stuck in a ditch.
Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala, an OPP officer from the Haldimand County Detachment, died Tuesday near Hagersville around 2:30 p.m.
The officer, whose name was Greg, had been on the force for just over a year. He had just completed his probationary period.
Pierzchala, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.
Pierzchala, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.
The officer, who went by the name Greg, had been with the force for just over a year and had just completed his probation
Two people, a man and a woman, are currently in custody.
They were seen fleeing the scene shortly after the incident, and an emergency alert was later sent to nearby residents advising them to shelter in place.
The alert includes a photo of Randall McKenzie, 25, and an unnamed woman, and also asked for help identifying a black 2021 Chevrolet pickup truck with an Ontario license plate.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that two people were arrested after a search of the area, but did not confirm whether they were the two people identified in the alert.
In a statement, John Cerasuolo, President of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, said: ‘It is with profound sadness that we learn today of the death in the line of duty of our member from the Haldimand County Detachment, Provincial OPP Constable Grzegorz ‘Greg’ Pierzchala.
Provincial Constable Pierzchala was investigating a motor vehicle collision when he was fatally shot this afternoon on the Indian Line in Hagersville, Ont.
Members of the Ontario Provincial Police closed off a section of road near Hagersville after the Tuesday afternoon shooting
Police officers fill the waiting room at Hagersville Hospital after Pierzchala was taken there following the incident
Our deepest condolences go out to Greg’s family, friends and colleagues. Greg’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered as [a] Heroes in life, not in death.
Our members go to work every day to serve and protect the people of Ontario. They perform dangerous work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year across the province of Ontario. This situation shows that there is no routine call in the police services.
It will be very difficult for all our OPPA members. Please take care of each other.
Officers paid their respects with a procession of police vehicles stretching from West Haldimand Hospital en route to Toronto.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Pierzchala, who worked with the Haldimand County Detachment, was notified earlier in the day that Pierzchala had passed his probation.
“He is a man who at age five decided he wanted to be a police officer and he was given a brief opportunity to live his dream and do his best to keep our community safe,” he said. he declares.
And sadly, he paid the ultimate sacrifice today.
Mark Hill, head of the elected Six Nations of the Grand River council, said he was heartbroken by the news.
“I was heartbroken to learn of this tragic incident following a senseless act of violence and a young life taken so early in the line of duty,” he said.
Officers paid their respects with a procession of police vehicles stretching from West Haldimand Hospital in Toronto
Pierzchala died on Tuesday after being shot while responding to a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville
A suspect is escorted to Brantford General Hospital following the shooting in Haldimand County
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also tweeted a tribute to the late officer
“I send my sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Constable Pierzchala’s loved ones and the entire OPP family for this immense loss.”
OPP Constable Ed Sanchuk added that he was a phenomenal police officer, a wonderful person. Always happy, bubbly and just the biggest heart of gold you could imagine.
“This is an extreme loss for our (OPP) family and we are helping the family and our officers deal with this traumatic loss.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau He also shared a tribute to the officer.
“Heartbreaking news from Haldimand County where OPP Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed in the line of duty,” he wrote on Twitter.
“To his family, friends and colleagues – the thoughts of all Canadians are with you.”
Pierzchala is the fourth officer to be shot and killed in Ontario since September.
September 12, Toronto Police officer Andrew Hong was shot and killed inside a Tim Hortons in Mississauga. The shooter, who also killed two other people, died after being shot by police.
Two South Simcoe officers, Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell, died after being called to a disturbance at a home in Innisfil on October 11.
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