Journey Begins to Canadian Police Memorial

Nearly 200 runners and 185 cyclists representing Toronto Police and other law enforcement agencies participated in the 20th annual National Police Officers Memorial Run & Ride to Remember from Queen’s Park to Parliament Hill over two days.

“It is a powerful tribute, echoing the courage you all show every single day in your work and in your readiness to run towards danger to help others,” Chief Myron Demkiw said at the kickoff on September 26 at the Ontario Police Memorial at Queen’s Park. “There is no greater commitment to service. Being a police officer is not easy and your work is essential. And as we know, it can be a very dangerous job.

“We have seen a significant rise in violent acts being committed against law enforcement members in recent years, not just here in Ontario, but indeed across North America. As police officers, we have a duty to keep our communities safe and to keep each other safe. And we have a duty to remember our fallen colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, and every day, we honour their memories and show our gratitude for their sacrifice.”

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the sacrifice officers make when they commit to safeguarding communities.

“Your loved ones service will never be forgotten, neither will be the sacrifices they made,” recognizing the surviving family members who joined in the event and those running to Ottawa. “That is why we are so grateful for events like this that ensure the legacy of our fallen officers, our heroes live on. I have no doubt that the memory of the fallen officers and support of their families will inspire and drive the runners and cyclists to the finish line.”

Attorney General Michael Kerzner reminded the families of fallen officers that their loved ones shielded the province from danger and saw the faces of hope and mercy in dark places.

“Nothing will ever tarnish their honour or diminish their accomplishments and we remember them today and every day,” he pointed out. “When they lived, they were alive, they walked and they talked and they breathe was inculcated in them. They were a continuing reference point of good, a constant umbilically tied to the welfare of our public safety. Their service offered us a glimpse in their own humanity amongst the deepest of gifts anyone can give with their love of family and passion for their careers…Everyone passes, but not everyone one lives. They lived, embodied with a lesson of purpose driven by a cause greater than themselves.”

Ontario Police Memorial Foundation President Jason Tomlinson said the run and ride stand as a testament to our commitment to never forget.

“We will never forget those officers enshrined on the wall behind me and we will always love and support the survivors who live with the sacrifice daily,” he noted. “Service has a cost in our profession and we are reminded of that each year on the first Sunday of May and the last Sunday of September. When we gather en masse to celebrate and honour the lives of those fallen, we do them justice.”

Starting at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, the riders pedal 200 kilometers to Queen’s Park before heading to Ottawa.

They cover 700 kilometers over three days.

“It is an honour to ride in memory of our fallen brothers and sisters,” said Inspector Don Theriault of Toronto Police. “We do it to honour those who were taken from us and keep the connection with those of you who live your lives without your loved ones.”

National Police Officers Memorial Run (NPOMR) founder Randy Patrick and Co-Chairs Robert Hackenbrook and Rob Shearer presented a plaque and a donation to go to SickKids Foundation in the memory of Todd Baylis.

Cory Baylis accepted the plaque and donation for his older brother who died in the line of duty in 1994.

“My brother had a great personality and everybody loved him,” said Cory Baylis. “If I got picked on in school, he would stick up for me. He was a great guy who was just like our dad.”

Edward ‘Ted’ Baylis, a retired police officer, passed away two years ago.

Sergeant Scott Kingdon, of 31 Division, and Shane Coulter, who recently retired from the Service, were Baylis’ schoolmates at Chinguacousy Secondary School in Brampton.

“He was a leader and just a great guy,” said Kingdon.

Coulter concurred.

“Todd was an amazing person,” he said. “We had a big group of friends and he was the informal leader.”

The NPOMR also presented a $5,000 cheque to the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation.

The Toronto Police participants in this year’s 460-kilometre Memorial Run wore armbands with the names of fallen Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers who have been carved into the granite wall of honour at the Ontario Police Memorial.

“This event reminds us of why we do this job,” said Constable Emily Stork-Benes who joined the Service four years ago. “We all leave home for work expecting to return home at the end of our shift.”

In her third year taking part in the run, the 13 Division Primary Response Unit officer ran for Constable Theodore Christiansen, who died in the line of duty in March 1961.

The NPOMR was launched in 2005 to create awareness of the police and peace officers memorial service in Ottawa on the last Sunday of September, and to raise money for trust funds and memorials established in memory of police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Nearly $600,000 in donations have been made since the run started with 24 Peel Regional Police participants and now includes members of Survivors of Law Enforcement (SOLE).

Arriving in Ottawa on Saturday, the runners and riders will participate in the Canadian Police & Peace Officers Memorial Service on Parliament Hill on Sunday.