Honour Roll

1998-08-04

Age: 32

Officer Hancox, a Detective with the Toronto Police Service was assigned to the Special Investigation Squad, Break and Enter detail. He was working undercover with a team of officers in the north east section of Toronto. At approximately 10 pm he told his fellow team members he was attending a store in the Centennial Plaza to obtain a cold soda pop. A very short time later, a second broadcast was received from Officer Hancox advising that he was stabbed and needed help. Officers attended the plaza parking lot and found Officer Hancox severely injured, lying near his police vehicle. Emergency first aid was applied and the officer was transported to Sunnybrook Medical Center. At 11:01 p.m. Police Officer Hancox succumbed to his injuries.

Two women were arrested and have since been convicted.

1997-05-31

Age: 32

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.

1996-04-02

Age: 52

While on patrol on the Queen Elizabeth Way Constable Gula stopped behind another OPP cruiser on the shoulder of the multi lane highway. While standing at the driver's window of the second cruiser he was struck by sport utility truck crushing him between the cruiser and the hit and run truck. His body fell into the active lane of traffic. His coworker dragged him off the road and radioed for help. Constable Gula died from his injuries.

1995-05-23

Age: 27

PC Roy was killed May 23, 1995 while involved in a single motor vehicle accident while on patrol in South Porcupine.

1994-09-28

Age: 37

On September 28, 1994, Constable John W. Knight was in pursuit of a vehicle when he lost control of his police car and struck a bridge abutment. Constable Knight died as a result of his injuries.

1994-06-17

Age: 25

Constable Todd E. Baylis and his partner were conducting a walk-through of a building complex when they attempted to arrest a suspect who was wanted for drug trafficking. The suspect was found carrying a large amount of crack cocaine and a loaded handgun. The officers were in the process of chasing down the suspect when he fired back at Constable Baylis, hitting the officer in the head. Constable Baylis died in hospital.

1993-11-09

Age: 26

First Nations Constable Taylor had just left the Couchiching First Nations policing office traveling to Fort Francis. As his cruiser crossed the unprotected CNR crossing, he was hit broadside by a train. He died at the scene.

1993-10-24

Age: 30

Constable Desforges and his partner Constable Jean were responding to an occurrence. Their cruiser was struck by an oncoming train at a railway crossing killing both officers.

1993-10-24

Age: 23

Constable Jean was traveling in a cruiser operated by his Coach Officer Jean Alain DeForges The officers were on patrol and responding to an occurrence. They was struck by an oncoming train at a railway crossing killing both officers.

1993-10-07

Age: 29

In the early morning hours of October 7, 1993 while on general patrol, Constable Joseph MacDonald conducted a routine traffic stop. The two male occupants exited the vehicle and a violent physical altercation developed resulting in the exchange of gun fire. One of the suspects was struck by gunfire from Constable MacDonald but survived. Constable MacDonald was fatally wounded by gunshots to the back of his head while he lay helpless with his service revolver empty. The two male suspects fled the area in a vehicle with officers who had just arrived on the scene, in pursuit. After being boxed in by police, the two suspects exited the vehicle and a foot chase and further altercation ensued which resulted with both suspects being taken into police custody.

Peter Paul Pennett and Clinton Victor Suzack were both charged and convicted of First Degree Murder receiving life sentences without parole for 25 years.