Police Gather to Honour Fallen Officers

"We go in with our eyes open"

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The thunder of boots on pavement will be heard around Queen's Park on Sunday morning, as hundreds of police officers gather to pay tribute to their colleagues who have become casualties of their line of work.  The Ontario Police Memorial Foundation is holding the14th annual Ceremony of Remembrance for Ontario's fallen officers. This year's event will bring police together with thoughts of Guelph Constable Jennifer Kovach, all too fresh in their minds.

"We go in to this line of work with our eyes open, knowing full well that lethal danger is part of the job," says Police Association of Ontario President, Dave McFadden.  "As an Association, working with the police services, we do everything we can to keep officers safe, but given what we do, day in and day out, we know that every year we're going to be saying goodbye to those who have dedicated their lives to keeping their communities safe, and who are now lost."

Two names will be added to the Wall of Honour, this year.  Constable Kovach whose death in February on her way to a call shattered the small Ontario community; and Constable William Rourke, whose 1915 death was shrouded in mystery, until just recently.

The names of those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty will be read aloud beginning at 10am.  The police pipe bands will lead officers from across Ontario, Canada, and the United States in a march around Queen's Park, ending on the South Lawn.  At 11:00, the official Ceremony of Remembrance will begin.

Toronto's CN Tower will be illuminated with blue light the evening before the ceremony to honour the fallen officers.

Anyone wishing to attend the service may do so, to support the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation in its efforts to ensure that every fallen officer from Ontario is not forgotten.

SOURCE: Police Association of Ontario

Dave McFadden, President Police Association of Ontario
905-670-9770
Mike Abbott, President of Ontario Police Memorial Foundation
[email protected]  416.659.1469