The pandemic did not stop our fallen officers from being honoured in 2020 at the
Canadian Police And Peace Officers Memorial.
On Sunday September 27, 2020, 885 names of police and peace officers who died in the line of duty were remembered by a small group of dignitaries led by the
Minister of Community Safety and and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair. The Summer Pavilion located at the rear of Parliament Hill, in Ottawa adjacent to the tablets inscribed with the names was the picturesque backdrop for the event, with the vibrant fall colours of the Ottawa River as the backdrop.
The wreath representing families was laid by Tricia Kirkwood, the daughter of Ottawa Police Service Constable David Kirkwood, who died in the line of duty in 1977. Tricia never met her father, as he died before she was born.
A news article highlights the significance of this event for Tricia and can be read by clicking here.
Retired OPPA member Brenda Orr, widow of OPP Constable Dave Mounsey along with OPPA Director and Ontario Police Memorial Foundation President Mike Adair were present and watched the ceremony from the lawn of Parliament on a large screen that was set up to allow for those who wished to watch on Parliament Hill to do so in a physically distanced safe manner.
The ceremony was livestreamed by a volunteer for the Canadian Police And Peace Officers Memorial, along with a small team of audio visual professionals. Over 40,000 watched the livestream. The archived livestream can be watched by clicking here.
A small physically distanced family vigil and dedication of the tablets was held on Saturday September 26, 2020 in front of the tablets. This was also livestreamed and can be watched by clicking here.
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The OPPA wish to thank everyone who made the 2020 Canadian Police And Peace Officers Memorial a reality to honour our fallen officers in a respectful and safe manner despite the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.