Toronto memorial honours police officers who died by suicide

In what’s set to become an annual event, a memorial ceremony has been held to honour police officers and civilian members who have died by suicide.

The ceremony is the first of what organizers say will be an annual event.

Beyond The Blue, a charity that offers counselling to officers and their family members, organized yesterday’s ceremony at the Ontario Police Memorial Park in Toronto.

The organization says the trauma officers and civilian members experience on the job can significantly affect their mental health.

It says those who died by suicide deserve a formal memorial that recognizes the positive impact of their lives.

Fifty one names were read on the honour roll, including eight from Hamilton police.