1997-05-31
Age: 32
Rank: Constable
Service: OPP
Constable Coffin was relaxing at the Commodore Hotel in Penetanguishene with other officers after completing his shift. While seated at the bar a person came up behind him and shot him in the head with a handgun. Constable Coffin died at the scene. His assailant then left the bar and was arrested later by the OPP Tactical Team.
Al MacDonald a Captain with the Toronto Fire Department, is currently serving his first degree murder conviction in prison. MacDonald was the former Chair of the Penetanguishene Police Services Board. Constable Coffin had charged MacDonald with impaired driving in 1996. He blamed Constable Coffin for ruining his life.