'Enduring legacy' of officers who died by suicide celebrated at memorial
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Hundreds of officers from across the province gathered at Queen’s Park on Sunday for the first Ontario Police Suicide Memorial.
The theme was, “Because of the line of duty,” while the event was a celebration of the lives that have been lost in the profession.
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“The death of any police member is tragic and one we all must mourn,” said York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween, who is also president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. “A ceremony and memorial to commemorate police members who have died by suicide related to their duties offers us an opportunity to both honour their service and come together to acknowledge the immense sense of loss their families, friends and colleagues feel.
“Policing is an honourable profession. It is also one with many challenges. It is vital that all police members feel supported as they deal with not only the challenges inherent in the job, but also when they are dealing with the challenges of living in today’s world. Let us resolve to ensure police members and their families are supported wherever they are on their journey.”
The inaugural Ontario Police Suicide Memorial ceremony was a significant occasion, said Mark Baxter, who is president of the Police Association of Ontario.
“Today, we gather not only to mourn the loss of our fallen comrades who have died because of the line of duty, but also to honour their memory, their sacrifice and the enduring legacy they leave behind,” Baxter said. “Each of these heroes represents a life dedicated to serving and protecting others — a noble calling that often demands everything from those who answer.”
Premier Doug Ford said he was honoured to be a part of the ceremony.
“Today, we remember and honour the heroic police members who lost their lives because of the line of duty,” Ford said. “Being a police officer is a tough job with long hours, constant threat of danger, and relentless exposure to on-the-job trauma.”
There have been 51 documented police suicides to date.
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