Ontario police officers killed in the line of duty in recent years
· Toronto Sun
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Police in Toronto are mourning the shooting death of an officer Thursday morning while executing a search warrant in North York.
The incident occurred at a highrise apartment building in the Trethewey and Black Creek Drs. area.
Police say Const. Marc Pinizzotto, a 43-year-old member of the Emergency Task Force, died in the line of duty.
The officer’s killing is the second this week in Ontario, following the death of OPP Const. Tarun Bali, who was killed after being struck by a motorist Tuesday in Hearst.
Here is a roundup of police officers killed in the line of duty in Toronto and across the province in recent years.
OPP Const. Tarun Bali
Bali was killed in the line of duty in Hearst on Tuesday while officers attempted to arrest a man who escaped from a hospital where he was being assessed under the Mental Health Act.
The OPP said Bali, who volunteered for an assignment in northern Ontario to help police services during staffing shortages, was struck by a motorist and later died.
The 29-year-old Bali, who had roots in Brampton, had been with the OPP for two-and-a-half years.
OPP Sgt. Brandon Malcolm
Malcolm died in the line of duty on April 27 while operating his police motorcycle in Cobourg.
The OPP said he was a proud member of its Golden Helmets and a former Auxiliary member with Toronto Police.
“Malcolm dedicated his life to serving others and fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer,” the OPP said. “His sudden death is deeply mourned across the policing community and throughout the province. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to be honoured.”
OPP Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala
Pierzchala was shot and killed while responding to a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville on Dec. 27, 2022.
The vehicle had been reported stolen from a restaurant parking lot in Hamilton the previous day.
Pierzchala joined the OPP as a Special Constable with the Queen’s Park Detachment before being hired as a recruit and began his short career in Haldimand on Sept. 7, 2021.
South Simcoe Police Const. Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup
Russell and Northrup were responding to a disturbance call at a residence in Innisfil when they were ambushed upon entering the home and shot on Oct. 11, 2022.
Northrup died shortly after the shooting while Russell passed away the following day.
Russell was a 33-year veteran who was a trained crisis negotiator while Northrup was a six-year member who worked with the community mobilization and engagement unit.
Toronto Police Const. Andrew Hong
Hong was taking a break from training while in Mississauga when he was shot point-blank and killed during an ambush attack on Sept. 12, 2022.
The 48-year-old officer had been a member with Toronto Police since 2000, starting in 42 Division and was later assigned to Traffic Services. There he served as a motorcycle officer since 2008.
Toronto Police Const. Jeffrey Northrup
Northrup was killed in the line of duty on July 2, 2021 when he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a reported robbery in progress at an underground parking lot at Toronto City Hall.
Northrup started his career with Court Services and was assigned to 11 Division when he became a police officer in 1999.
He had been a member of 52 Division since 2008 and was also a proud member of the Police Chief’s Ceremonial Unit.