A police officer in Canada was shot to death reacting to a vehicle stuck in a ditch – minutes after learning he had been put on probation to get his “dream job”.
Officer Grzegorz Pierzchala, 28, of the Ontario Provincial Police, arrived on the scene on Indian Line Road in Haldimand County around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, reported the CBC.
Upon arriving on the scene, the police officer was allegedly shot by 25-year-old Randall McKenzie, who failed to seem in court on a firearms charge. in response to the Toronto Sun.
Pierzchala, who was shot within the chest and leg, was taken to an area hospital where he died.
McKenzie escaped in a black Chevy pickup, but was soon arrested along along with his girlfriend, whose name was not given.
On Wednesday, McKenzie was to be charged with first-degree murder. A 30-year-old woman was expected to be charged as well, though it wasn’t clear what counted.
Photos posted on social media on Tuesday show other officers lined up along the streets as his body was transported to the Toronto coroner’s office.
Before heading out on his fateful call, Pierzchala learned he had been put on a 10-month probationary period with the police, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said.
“This can be a man who decided on the age of 5 that he desired to be a police officer and had a transient opportunity to follow his dream and do every little thing in his power to maintain our community protected,” Carrique said, Hamilton Spectator reports.
“And unfortunately, he made the final word sacrifice today,” he said, adding that the fallen cop was also a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“It’s with a particularly heavy heart that I regret to tell you that #OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed today during his brave duty on duty,” Carrique wrote in a tweet.
“Our hearts are along with his family members and all OPP members at this tragic time. #HeroesInLife,” he added.
Carrique said McKenzie was detained with moderate injuries, however the officer just isn’t believed to have shot him along with his service weapon.
Hagersville Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley offered her condolences.
“This can be a horrific incident,” she said in a press release to Global News. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family in addition to with OPP and first responders.”
Bentley added: “On behalf of the county, I offer my deepest condolences and support for this tragedy.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “horrified” by the officer’s death.
“Thanks to the officers who apprehended the suspects without incident,” he tweeted. “Our rescuers are real heroes. We take part the pain felt by family, friends and all the police community as Ontario mourns this loss.”
Ford added that “Pierzchala died keeping his oath to guard his province. It represents the perfect of us. My prayers are with him, his family and friends. It’s hard to know their grief at once. Ontario is considering of you.”
In response to the CBC, the world where Pierzchala was killed can also be home to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and next to the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Stacey Laforme, head of Mississaugas with Credit First Nation, said the community mourns the loss.
“We’re relieved to listen to that those involved have been arrested,” Laforme said in a press release to the CBC. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the police officer who was shot and killed this afternoon.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the news of Pierzchała’s death “heartbreaking”.
“To his family, friends and colleagues – thoughts of all Canadians are with you,” he tweeted.
Toronto police officer Shawn Geris, who was a wrestling coach at York University 10 years ago, recalled a young man asking him what the job was like, Hamilton Spectator reports.
Geris said he had hoped to present Pierzchala his police badge when he graduated from Ontario Police College, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented that.
“It was his dream job. It was what he wanted. And he knew the risks of the job because I had talked to him about it before,” he said.