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Hundreds in attendance for Const. Pierzchala’s funeral in Barrie
Hundreds of officers from across the province gathered in Barrie Wednesday for the funeral of an Ontario Provincial Police officer killed in Hagersville last week.
Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala died on Dec. 27 after he was fatally shot while responding to reports of a vehicle in a ditch at Indian Line and Concession 14.
Police say that Pierzchala had been notified just hours before his death that he had passed his 10-month probation period.
READ MORE: Police across province gather for Const. Pierzchala’s funeral
A procession prior to the funeral brought Const. Pierzchala’s body to the Saldon Arena in Barrie.
Officers were asked to remove their peaked caps as Pierzchala’s casket was carried to the front of the venue.
The lieutenant-governor was in attendance at the funeral as well as Premier Doug Ford.
“This brave young man died just two days after Christmas,” Ford said. “It’s yet another difficult reminder that the job of a police officer is one of total commitment.”
Sources say Pierzchala dreamt of joining the police ranks as a boy and his colleagues remember him as a wonderful officer with a big heart.
READ MORE: Officer Pierzchala remembered as a kind, gentle man
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