Making Journey in Memory of Fallen Officers

About 300 law enforcement professionals representing 30 agencies, including Toronto Police Service (TPS), took part in the 21st annual National Police Officers Memorial Run & Ride to Remember from Queen’s Park to Parliament Hill over two days.

Running and riding for fallen officers, noted Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue, is a powerful tribute to their service and sacrifice.

“As police officers and society as a whole, it is our responsibility to remember their sacrifice, their names and be there to support their grieving families,” she said. “Seeing this memorial run and ride grow yearly is truly encouraging. As you all know, being a police officer is not easy, and it can be dangerous at times. Yet, the career is incredibly fulfilling to be able to help people when they are most in need. I want each and everyone of you here today to remember you are making a difference. With their commitment and courage, fallen officers made a difference.”

Premier Doug Ford said raising awareness and funds for memorial tributes and supporting families is a powerful act of remembrance.

“Two decades of raising awareness and funds for a great cause and preserving the memory of fallen officers is something you should be deeply proud of,” he said. “We will never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Ontario and keep our communities safe. That is what today is all about.”

Michael Kerzner, the province’s Solicitor General, said fallen police officers leave behind a legacy of courage, service and sacrifice.

“To their families, they were your strength… Your loved ones offered us a glimpse into our own humanity amongst the deepest of gifts anyone can give. With their love of you and passion for their careers, they helped all of us see something else, ourselves. Today, this place is very quiet with missing voices. Everyone will one day pass, but not everyone truly lives. They lived.”

Lynn Neal, Vice-President of the Ontario Police Officers Memorial Foundation, said the sacrifices of officers will never be forgotten through these tributes and in the memories colleagues, friends and family.

“They are always in our hearts, and they will never be left behind,” she said.

Ontario Police Association president Mark Baxter said the run and ride is more than just physical endurance.

“It is a powerful act of remembrance,” he pointed out. “Each stride that you take honours the courage, the dedication and the selflessness of our fallen colleagues who gave their lives in service to their communities and to our province.”

Nancy MacDonald, the president of Survivors of Law Enforcement, said the run and ride helps grieving families shoulder their grief and find strength in community.

“For you to be here, we really appreciate it,” she said. “We know that every kilometre you are going to clock is meaningful.”

Her husband, Joseph MacDonald, was killed in October 1993 while conducting a routine traffic stop in the Greater Sudbury Area.

As they do every year, Toronto Police participants in the 460-kilometre Memorial Run wore armbands with the names of fallen Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers that are carved into the granite wall of honour at the Ontario Police Memorial.

For the past 13 years, Constable Laurie McCann has been doing the run for Constable Todd Baylis who was killed in the one of duty in 1994.

They were friends.

“We want to remember his name and the others who died in the line of duty because they made the ultimate sacrifice,” McCann noted.

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.

“We started out in the rain with the wind in our faces, riding 210 kilometres to Toronto,” said Inspector Don Theriault. “It was tough and a challenge, but an honour to ride to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The National Police Officers Memorial Foundation co-Chairs Robert Hackenbrook and Rob Shearer presented a $5,000 cheque to the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation.

Nearly $641,000 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.