Chuck Mercier was born in Welland where he attended Ecole Secondaire Welland. There he achieved letter status on the basketball and volleyball teams. He was president of the student council. His next aim was to be accepted by the OPP and this was achieved on September 8, 1986.
His first posting was Kapuskasing in northeastern Ontario. After his duration posting, Chuck transferred to Welland and later to the Niagara Falls detachment in 1994. For three years he was a designated shift leader and anxious for promotion. His record contained several commendations for work in francophone services and in promoting and teaching the VIP programme aimed at senior elementary students. He worked in his association as branch secretary.
Toward the end of September 1999 the Mercier family were anticipating moving into a new home. So it was then when Chuck had the opportunity to get some paid duty and earn money towards the cost of their home, he signed up to work.
On the morning of September 30, he was assigned to safeguarding and directing traffic at a construction site on the Queen Elizabeth Way. His location was the right shoulder of the eastbound lane near the base of the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines. Just after eight a.m. Constable Mercier was in his marked cruiser with a raised rooftop activated flashing arrow sign.
A cube van crossed from the passing lane and ploughed into the rear of the highly visible police car. The car was pushed 132 feet into a ditch between the highway and Dunkirk Road. The OPP vehicle was wedged under the truck. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. The thirteen-year veteran police officer died.
Chuck Mercier is survived by his wife and two children.