Perth County OPP Detachment Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau, 35,of the Huron – Perth Community Street Crime Unit, Perth County Detachment tragically died in an on duty motor vehicle collision on May 29, 2023 when his unmarked police vehicle and a school bus collided at the rural intersection of Oxford Road 33 and Highway 59, northwest of Woodstock, around 7am. The 71yr old driver of the school bus was the only occupant, and also tragically lost his life in the crash.
Detective Constable Tourangeau was a respected OPP officer, a dedicated husband and father to three young children. At the request of his family, on Monday June 5, 2023 a private, well attended Memorial Service was held to honour Steven in London, Ontario. His service and sacrifice will always be remembered.
The funeral for OPP Sergeant Eric Mueller was at 11amET May 18, 2023. The OPP Association thanks our sworn and civilian members, comrades from Police Services and Associations, First Responders and the public for attending to honour our fallen hero.
The funeral can be watched on OPP Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.
Sergeant Eric Mueller, of the Russell County OPP Detachment, was shot May 11, 2023 while responding to a disturbance call at a home. Three officers, who arrived at the scene, suffered gunshot wounds. Sergeant Eric Mueller was transported to the hospital and died as a result of his injuries.
In 2002, Sergeant Eric Mueller joined the Ontario Provincial Police as a special constable with the Offender Transport Program in the Ottawa Unit. On January 3, 2006, he was hired as a recruit and began his impressive career as a uniform member in Grenville (Prescott). He also worked at the Leeds County Detachment and was promoted to Sergeant in July 2018. During his career, Sergeant Mueller took on the position of coach officer and detachment liaison officer for the Auxiliary Unit.
In 2015, Sergeant Mueller was the recipient of the Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving. A testament to his bravery, he was recognized for working with others to physically lift a burning vehicle to remove an injured suspect.
Sergeant Mueller was a dedicated member of the OPP family, whose contributions to the organization and the communities he served did not go unnoticed. He was described by his colleagues as a strong team player who could be counted on whenever necessary. He led by example and always represented the core values of the OPP through his actions, words and sense of duty.
Sergeant Mueller’s devotion and courage will never be forgotten.
The OPP grieves alongside Sergeant Eric Mueller’s family, who we will work closely with to ensure their wishes are respected and to support them in any way we can.
Condolences for Sergeant Eric Mueller can be sent to OPPCorporateCommunications@opp.ca.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo honoured OPP Sergeant Eric Mueller at his funeral with the following speech:
REMARKS BY OPP ASSOCIATON PRESIDENT JOHN CERASUOLO
Funeral of OPP Sergeant Eric Mueller, Kanata Ontario May 18, 2023
Dignitaries, Commissioner, Members of the Ontario Provincial Police and Police from across Canada and North America, distinguished guests and most importantly Marie-France, Jasmine and Hugo.
To Eric’s entire family – on behalf of the OPP Association, we offer our sincere and deepest condolences.
Being a law enforcement officer is a calling.
There are few professions as noble as those that leave everyday for work in the pursuit of service, protecting the public believing you can truly make a difference in protecting your community.
For most officers, we couldn’t imagine another way of life – it is what we do.
But ours is an inherently dangerous job – we know this – but we go out to face the unknown every single day with bravery and fortitude – ready and willing to face danger in the name of duty.
Unfortunately, and sadly, Eric is the 112th police officer to die in the line of duty and be added to our OPPA Honour Roll since the formation of the OPP in 1909.
Many loved ones and colleagues of those officers will be listening today and will re-live their pain.
We will always remember them. Heroes.
When we kiss and hug our loved ones at the beginning of each day, like any other job out there, we expect to come home after our shift.
But, that is not always the case – as is evident as we gather together today to honour one of our own, taken from us for doing what he loved and for protecting and serving our communities.
For all of us here who answer the call to service; every kiss from your spouse, every hug from a child, every moment with family, means a little bit more.
Without their love and support, our service would not be possible.
For those who knew Eric, the pain is very raw and is beyond words.
To our 2 members, the police officers injured in this tragedy.
You are Heroes indeed.
In an ambush situation, nobody can see this coming.
You both did the best you could and we thank you for that.
For our members, the police officers doing everything they could to get to the scene, and eventually arresting the suspect, thank you.
Your actions were brave and heroic.
To our members, the Communicators and Call Takers who dealt with the call.
You are often overlooked for the important life saving work you do.
Thank you for your heroic actions during this incident, and your dedication to service every day.
We will continue to work alongside Commissioner Carrique to ensure our people have the best equipment, the best training, and staffing to meet the ever-increasing demands in our communities.
It is difficult to say goodbye, Eric touched so many people’s lives, so positively, and so he will live on in the hearts, minds, and actions of us all.
Eric leaves behind an amazing legacy and has left this world a better place and for that we will always be grateful.
To the wives, husbands, children, siblings, friends, colleagues and all of those here today who have been touched by Eric’s life, there are no words capable of providing sufficient comfort.
All we can do is pledge our constant support and promise to be by your side from this moment forward.
We will honour Eric by carrying on his legacy and leading our lives as an example for others to follow.
I would like to thank everyone for being here to show respect to our fallen brother as we say goodbye to Sergeant Eric Mueller, but he will never be forgotten.
Hero in Life absolutely our Hero.
Rest in peace Brother.
Photo album of Funeral for OPP Sgt Eric Mueller is being added to throughout today. The OPP Association thanks our sworn & civilian members, partner Police Services & Associations, First Responders & public for honouring our fallen hero. https://t.co/4ztYimIhRG #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/n31nbe3vxb — OPPA (OPP Association) (@OPPAssociation) May 18, 2023
Provincial Constable Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala, of the Haldimand County Detachment, was shot and killed while responding to a motor vehicle collision in Hagersville, Ontario on Tuesday December 27, 2022.
Provincial Constable Pierzchala joined the OPP as a Special Constable with the Queen’s Park Detachment. On September 7, 2021, he was hired as a recruit and began his career as a Uniform member in Haldimand. He also had basic training as a Canadian Military Officer and held a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University.
He was an accomplished athlete. When he was hired, it was noted he had a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate. In high school in Barrie, he participated in soccer, swimming, wrestling, rowing, and track and field. He competed in varsity wrestling and was an Academic All-Canadian. He was also fluent in Polish.
Provincial Constable Pierzchala had dreamed of becoming a police officer since he was a young boy. He had a brief opportunity to live out his dream and to do his best to keep our community safe. He will forever be a hero in life.
“Whatever it is that anger and outrage are helping you to accomplish, love will do a better job.” These were the words of Lianne Hovingh at a November 28, 2020 funeral service at Manitoulin Secondary School in M’Chigeeng, Ontario for her husband, Provincial Constable Marc Hovingh, of the Manitoulin Detachment. Fellow OPP Provincial Constable Marie Ford assumed the role of a family liaison, and carried Marc’s hat behind eight of his fellow officers who were pallbearers for a giant of a man inside a casket draped with a large Ontario flag later presented to Lianne and family by OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique who stated “I am very confident that his competence and commitments very likely saved others from enormous risk that unknowingly awaited them that day. Truly nothing short of heroic.”
Marc was killed in the line of duty on November 19th in Gore Bay, Ontario on Manitoulin Island by a lone gunman after responding to a call for a trespasser. Marc is survived by his wife Lianne and children Laura, Nathan, Elena and Sarah.
On Monday, November 23rd, the entire province paid tribute to Marc in a “Highway of Heroes” style escort of his body back home to Manitoulin Island from the Coroner’s Office in Toronto. Personnel from several police services, first responders, members of the military, government dignitaries, and community members, lined roadways and bridges for the six hour drive back to the Island.
In Espanola, an entire youth hockey team could be seen tapping their sticks on the roadway as the escort passed. By the time the procession reached the final destination of Little Current, it was dark, and the streets were lined with supporters for as far as one could see. The sound of Indigenous drummers and singers and a helicopter were the only sounds breaking the eight minute silence as the escort crossed the bridge onto Manitoulin Island and came to a stop for Marc’s loved ones to welcome him home.
When Marc’s body was taken to Mindemoya Missionary Church for his visitation on Friday, November 27th, the entire town of Mindemoya closed down and lined the streets. A large Canadian flag was draped across the road between two hydro trucks. All of the medical staff at the local hospital stood out front with tears in their eyes and blue cardboard hearts held to their chests.
Signs were everywhere on Manitoulin Island supporting Marc and the policing community. The Island adapted blue as their colour for this mourning period.
Mindemoya resident Dave Clark, was among those offering informal tributes and said, “When Marc Hovingh talked to you, he talked to you. He was not going to the door or say see you later, he would stop and talk to you. That is something that a lot of folks don’t do and something that Marc did and it certainly stands out in my mind.”
At the visitation he was remembered by many as a kind and caring man. “He made us feel safe. It’s not a violent area and so sometimes we have a false sense of security.” “We always used to joke around. He had the lightest heart and the biggest heart for people and was a very giving, self-sacrificing man.”
Manitoulin Secondary School Principal Jamie Mohamed shared that he had collaborated with Marc for the success and safety of the students for over twenty years. Beaverhouse First Nation and the family of the late Provincial Constable Jennifer Landry provided blue and black ribbons for all funeral attendees.
The Honourable Premier Doug Ford, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General attended the funeral which was conducted under strict COVID-19 protocols.
At the conclusion of the funeral community members gathered for a final farewell as the procession wound its way around Manitoulin Island before a private burial at a local cemetery.
Upon leaving Manitoulin Island after the funeral, one could not help but carry the love conveyed by Lianne and all people on the Island home with each and every one of us. Marc was a hero in life, not death.
We extend our deepest condolences to Marc’s family, his friends and colleagues and we all share in the loss of a husband, father, friend and police officer who made the world a better place for countless others.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) mourns the tragic loss of 37-year-old Provincial Constable V.D. (Vu) Pham of the Huron County Detachment. Constable Pham died as the result of injuries sustained during a shooting incident on March 8, 2010.
Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Constable Pham joined the OPP in 1995. During his 15-year career he served in the communities of Parry Sound and Cochrane and, finally, in Huron County. Constable Pham was an active and dedicated community member and a family man who leaves behind his wife and three young children.
Expressing the profound grief of the thousands of OPP members, Commissioner Julian Fantino said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of this young, brave officer who was committed to protecting the citizens of Ontario. Pham was responding to an occurrence and doing what our people do every day in the line of duty. They take the initiative to respond to situations as they arise; he was just doing his job. Absolutely, it’s that pure. He was doing his job.”
Alan Hack was born on April 21, 1978 in London, Ontario. London remained his home his entire life.
Alan was a very community minded person who unselfishly volunteered his time to numerous causes. In 2004, Alan joined the London City Police Service Auxiliary Unit as an Auxiliary Constable.
Alan commenced his career in policing when he joined the Ontario Provincial Police as a Police Cadet on October 23, 2006. Alan was posted to Elgin County Detachment where he made an excellent impression with his coworkers. He had a natural ability to connect with people and could be relied on. He is remembered as a happy, honest and loyal individual who had a great spirit. He was considered a role model who touched many lives.
On January 2, 2009, Alan proudly became a Constable with the Ontario Provincial Police. Constable Hack was assigned to Elgin County in May 2009.
On July 6, 2009, Constable Hack was responding to an incident when he was involved in a motor vehicle collision and was severely injured. He later succumbed to his injuries at the Four Counties Health Services in Newbury, Ontario. Alan will be deeply missed by his police family and the communities he served.
Gone too soon from his loving fiancée and life partner, Donna McKillop. Also loved by his father, Ivan Hack and Gabriella Kallo and his mother, Mirjana (Zoricic) Hack and Robert Walker. Cherished brother of Ana Maria Hunt and Howard Hunt. Dear uncle of Mikaela, Kristiana and Luka. Dear grandson of Ana Zoricic. Dear nephew of Miro Zoricic and Ana, Vlado Zoricic and Biba, Zdravko Hack, Darko Hack, Mato Kruljac, Katarina Hack, Durda Hack and cousin of Robert Hack. Beloved future son-in-law to Dan and Janet McKillop, and brother-in-law to Matthew and Marcy McKillop, Mark and Meaghan McKillop and Adam McKillop and Frances Minnema.
Next of Kin: Life Partner Brenda Carey, Stepsons Wyatt (age 11) and Dalton (age 10) Carey, Parents Shirley and Colin Stanway, son Ryan Mounsey (age 25)
Comments: David Mounsey was born on October 4th, 1956 in Yorkshire England; Dave grew up in Yorkshire and joined the British Royal Air Force where he served for 14 years in the Military Transport Division. Dave immigrated to Canada in 1989 and began a career with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services as a Correctional Officer. He worked at the Burtch and Sprucedale Correctional Facilities.
On April 24th, 1998, Dave joined the Ontario Provincial Police and was posted to the Haldimand Norfolk Detachment where he remained until 2001, when Dave transferred to the Wingham Detachment in the Huron County Cluster. During his career with the OPP, Dave had a number of assignments and specialized training. He was a Crisis Negotiator. He was also a member of the Western Region Colour Party, proudly representing the OPP and Police Officers at many ceremonies and public functions.
Dave was a board member with the Huron-Bruce Chapter of MADD Canada. He also served on the Huron County Child Abuse Prevention Committee. Dave was also a volunteer Firefighter with the Blyth and District Fire Department.
Early in October of 2006, only weeks before his accident, to celebrate his 50th birthday, Dave and his life partner Brenda completed a marathon together in British Columbia. He used the event as a fundraiser, the proceeds used to purchase a defibrilator for the fire department.
Constable Mounsey was a community minded inspirational person and was highly respected by his fellow officers. He had a natural ability to connect with people and support and encourage them. Dave had received numerous letters and expressions of thanks and appreciation from victims and other community members. His presence will be sorely missed.
On October 14th, 2006, Constable Mounsey was responding to an incident, when he was involved in a motor vehicle collision and was severely injured. He succumbed to his injuries on November 13th, 2006 at the Clinton Public Hospital.
Dave is survived by his parents, Shirley and Colin Stanway, his son Ryan Mounsey, brother John Mounsey, life partner Brenda Carey, stepsons Wyatt and Dalton Carey. Dave is predeceased by his father Peter.
Dale was born in Kingston on October 10th, 1950, son of Verdeen and Maude Wagar and brother of Hal. Dale completed his Matriculation Diploma in 1969 at Frontenac Secondary School in Kingston and went on to join the Ontario Provincial Police in November of 1974. His first posting would be at Downsview detachment.
During his tenure there, he was trained and subsequently became a member of the Golden Helmets Motorcycle Precision Team. Dale was assigned to provide motorcade VIP security for visiting dignitaries and heads of state from around the world. From 1985 to 1987, Dale worked for the Ontario Police College as a Force motorcycle instructor.
Dale relocated to Kingston Township Municipal detachment in 1988 as a Senior Constable and would later be assigned to the Joint Forces Drug Unit as a Detective Constable. In 1999, following an amalgamation in Kingston, Dale transferred to the London Middlesex Detachment. From 2001-2002 Dale worked as a Provincial Firearms Officer and then would go on to work as Senior Constable at Middlesex Detachment.
Dale had many interests outside of work. As an avid skier, Dale was an instructor and a member of ski patrol at several ski resorts and his love for golf lead him to marshal at a couple of golf courses. Dale enjoyed a challenge, and rarely did anything without trying everything.
December 2005
On December 16th, O.P.P officers played the Glencoe highschool students as a fund raiser and Dale refereed the game. It was during this game that Dale collapsed and was rushed to Glencoe Hospital where he later died. This was devastating for his family, colleagues and friends. Dale leaves behind wife Judy, sons Christopher and Andrew, daughters Patricia, Jill and Morgan and grandchildren Izabella, Jackson, Tristan, Aiden, Tye and Darwin.
Since graduating from Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes High School in 1994, Provincial Constable Andrew Potts’ goal was to become an Ontario Provincial Police officer. He prepared himself by furthering his education and by gaining related experience.
After high school he attended Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough and received his diploma in police education in 1996. He continued his education at The University of Western Ontario in London. During the summer of 1995 he was a member of the Muskoka Lakes Marine Patrol. The marine patrol educated boaters and worked alongside Bracebridge OPP Marine Unit officers. The following summer he joined the Bracebridge OPP Marine Unit as a student assisting officers help make the waterways of Muskoka safer for all.
Twenty-two year-old probationary Provincial Constable Andrew Potts started his career with the OPP on January 5, 1998, as a member of Class # 282 at the Ontario Police College (OPC) in Aylmer. After completing 5 months of training at OPC and the OPP Academy in Orillia, he reported to Pickle Lake Detachment in Northwestern Ontario on April 30th. Under the tutelage of a coach officer he successfully completed his probationary period and was appointed a permanent member of the OPP on December 3, 1998.
While at Pickle Lake Detachment Provincial Constable Potts received the Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving. This prestigious award was bestowed upon him as a result of helping save the life of a 23 year-old victim of a house fire on January 8, 2000 on the Mishkeegogamang First Nations Reserve, 70 km south of Pickle Lake. Provincial Constable Potts and his partner were responding to assist a First Nations officer who had pulled a critically injured man from a house fire. With heavy snow falling and poor road conditions the ambulance response time was expected to be lengthy. As a result of the exigent situation the OPP officers transported the victim in their cruiser. Enroute the victim stopped breathing several times. Provincial Constable Potts safely operated the cruiser in the slippery weather while his partner administered artificial respiration. The victim safely arrived at hospital and was eventually was airlifted to Thunder Bay where he made a full recovery.
After completing his 2-year posting in Pickle Lake, Provincial Constable Potts returned home to serve the citizens of Muskoka. He started at Bracebridge Detachment on May 2, 2000, working as a uniform law enforcement officer. Since then, numerous positive comments have been added to his personnel file from fellow officers and supervisors complimenting the professional manner he used when assisting them resolve dangerous and/or violent situations.
On May 20, 2004, Provincial Constable Potts completed the Ontario Police College Advanced Patrol Training course. During his seven and a half years with the OPP he maintained excellent physical conditioning and received the Ontario Police Fitness Award on several occasions. Provincial Constable Potts possessed the personal qualities one would expect in an OPP officer. He had common sense, was tenacious, fair and level headed under pressure. He had aspirations of becoming a member of the OPP Tactical and Rescue Unit (TRU team) and was currently training hard for the upcoming TRU selection course this fall.
Provincial Constable Potts was a caring individual with close family ties to the community of Muskoka. His promising career and life was tragically cut short on July 20, 2005; however, his accomplishments will always be admired and he will never be forgotten. Andy was a pleasure to work with and became a close friend with many officers at Bracebridge Detachment. He will be dearly missed by all.
Mike was appointed to the OPP on April 28, 1997 and served at Downsview Detachment before being transferred to Port Credit Detachment.
The death of Michael Siydock was a shock to Port Credit Detachment members. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Mike was an exemplary Officer; he was a genuinely caring person and took that extra step to help people.
“ Mike was a devoted family man who died doing what he loved to doing,” commented Liz Siydock in a news release.
Mike took his duties as a police officer very seriously and was an excellent worker. Mike continuously carried out his duties to the highest standard and he expected the same of all those who worked with him. Mike was an excellent officer and certainly an asset to the OPP. He was a man whose love for his job as a police officer was only surpassed by his love for his family.
On November 26, 2004, Constable Siydock was the first officer to respond to a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Milton. A vehicle had rolled down a steep embankment and the occupants of the vehicle were trapped. Constable Siydock made every effort to aid the victims and in doing so suffered a major heart attack and died while on duty. He was a seven year veteran and is survived by a wife and three children.
He will be greatly missed by his brother officers at Port Credit Detachment and throughout the OPP.
His wife, Elizabeth and children, Donald, Stephen and Laura, survive Mike.