1972-02-27
Age: 44
Detectives Douglas Sinclair and Michael Irwin were dispatched to an apparent routine domestic call where a citizen was discharging a pellet gun. On arrival at 267 Roywood Drive, they were joined by Constable Sam Fox. While searching for Apt. 408, Louis Fines burst through the door and into the hall holding an automatic rifle. When ordered by Detective Irwin to drop the gun, he fired and struck Irwin who fell to the floor. Detective Sinclair took two bullets directly into his chest that ended his life. Fines took off through a door at the end of the hall. Constable Fox raced after him, shooting as he ran, but lost Fines in the basement garage. Fox returned to the fallen Detectives. He had begun mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Detective Sinclair when he heard Fines coming up the stairs. Fox ordered him to drop the rifle. Fines raised his rifle. At that moment Fox shot him dead. Detective Irwin was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
Detective Sinclair was awarded the Metropolitan Toronto Police Medal of Honour, posthumously.