Richard Jean and Alain Desforges were partners in policing. Al had been with the OPP for four years when he was selected to be Rick’s coach officer.

Al Desforges was born on February 20, 1963. He attended the University of Ottawa and graduated with a double major in psychology and criminology, receiving a bachelor’s degree in social science.

Alain had an overwhelming concern for his family and his wife reflects that he was a warm and sensitive man who was very easygoing. His fellow workers remarked upon his infectious laugh that would draw anyone in earshot into a round robin of chuckles.

Richard Jean was born on September 8, 1970. He attended the Hon. W.C. Kennedy Collegiate in Windsor and then went on to the University of Windsor. He did an undergraduate degree there in social sciences with a diploma in criminology.

Rick joined the OPP on March 29, 1993. He was very athletic and maintained a high standard of physical fitness.

The coach officer with four years’ experience and the rookie with seven months on the job were out on the road policing the village of Casselman on October 24, 1993. They were responding to a call to assistance when for a reason that no one knows, the cruiser with roof lights flashing suddenly crossed the path of an eastbound VIA rail train while the level crossing signals were activated. Both officers died on the tracks of head and chest injuries.

The two OPP officers who died at 3:12 p.m. on October 24th 1993 both had full police funerals. Richard’s parents and his three brothers survived him. Alain is survived by his wife and son.

The two men’s Casselman co-workers keep their memory alive with large portraits in the detachment where they worked.

Richard Jean and Alain Desforges were partners in policing. Al had been with the OPP for four years when he was selected to be Rick’s coach officer.

Al Desforges was born on February 20, 1963. He attended the University of Ottawa and graduated with a double major in psychology and criminology, receiving a bachelor’s degree in social science.

Alain had an overwhelming concern for his family and his wife reflects that he was a warm and sensitive man who was very easygoing. His fellow workers remarked upon his infectious laugh that would draw anyone in earshot into a round robin of chuckles.

Richard Jean was born on September 8, 1970. He attended the Hon. W.C. Kennedy Collegiate in Windsor and then went on to the University of Windsor. He did an undergraduate degree there in social sciences with a diploma in criminology.

Rick joined the OPP on March 29, 1993. He was very athletic and maintained a high standard of physical fitness.

The coach officer with four years’ experience and the rookie with seven months on the job were out on the road policing the village of Casselman on October 24, 1993. They were responding to a call to assistance when for a reason that no one knows, the cruiser with roof lights flashing suddenly crossed the path of an eastbound VIA rail train while the level crossing signals were activated. Both officers died on the tracks of head and chest injuries.

The two OPP officers who died at 3:12 p.m. on October 24th 1993 both had full police funerals. Richard’s parents and his three brothers survived him. Alain is survived by his wife and son.

The two men’s Casselman co-workers keep their memory alive with large portraits in the detachment where they worked.

Eric was born in Sault Ste. Marie on July 26, 1968, and at an early age was involved in all kinds of recreational activities. He had a gift as a runner and maintained the peak of fitness. His interests took him after graduation from Bawatting Collegiate in Sault Ste. Marie to Carleton University in Ottawa, where he was working on a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Eric’s older brother was an OPP officer and Eric became interested in police work as a result. He was accepted for recruit training on September 4, 1990. Later, while at the Ontario Police College, he set a record for the 1.5-mile race that has never been broken. On graduation he came to the Minden detachment.

Constable Nystedt had been on the job for less than three years when he was called out with a fellow Senior Constable on Saturday July 3, 1993. The two officers were called twice that shift to an assault, domestic occurrence at a location near the village of Kinmount. A man was drunk and his behaviour was said to be endangering others at a cottage in the Furnace Falls area.

At two a.m. the officers were looking for the suspect, who had run off into the bush after having committed an assault. Constable Nystedt was in the rear, passing a small clearing, when suddenly the wanted man came out from behind him and stabbed the young officer in the left leg. The knife severed the left femoral artery and Eric bled to death before he could receive the necessary aid.

A massive search was commenced with fifty officers, a canine unit, members of the TRU team and later a helicopter. Off-duty officers converged on the area to help. Finally, around noon, the suspect came out of the bush and was arrested.

For five years, Eric’s memory was celebrated in a huge annual memorial run in Sault Ste. Marie that raised thousands of dollars for heart and stroke research. An annual golf tournament also recalls the officer who enjoyed all sports. A fitness award in his name is given to the most fit recruit in each OPP Academy class. In 1999, a five-kilometre run and walk was established in Eric’s name in memory of all OPP officers killed on the job. Signs were posted on the route giving the names of the fallen. The last one read, “Let there be no more”.

Eric had such a sunny, pleasant disposition that he warmed the hearts of all those he met. His notable gifts in the field of athletics made him tremendously popular and have served to perpetuate his memory.

Andrew (Andy) Gordon was born on December 28, 1963 and moved around the province, as his father was an OPP officer in the eastern region of Ontario. He joined the Air Cadets and achieved the highest cadet rank. Next he was involved with the Cameron Highlanders Militia and he played in the pipe and drum band. He was a good athlete and especially enjoyed scuba diving.

After he left high school in Kanata, having achieved the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in his spare time, he went to Algonquin College to earn a diploma in computers but decided to try out for a police career instead.

Gordon applied to join the OPP and was accepted on February 9, 1987. He spent some time at Morrisburg along the seaway before coming to Madoc detachment. Constable Gordon relieved sometimes-quiet patrol nights by miming cartoon characters and enlivened situations with his infectious sense of humour.

Constable Gordon had been just over five years on the job when he and his partner were dispatched to investigate a minor hit and run accident in Marmora. While travelling on Highway 62 they encountered a speeding oncoming vehicle that veered into the southbound lane slamming into the police car. The other officer was injured in the collision and Constable Gordon was trapped in the burning police car and killed, as were the male and female occupants of the speeding car. The driver was drunk.

At the time of his untimely death, Andy Gordon was engaged to be married in two weeks’ time.

Madoc members recall Andy Gordon in a very tangible way. There is a flowering crab tree planted in his memory on the grounds as well as a plaque on the front lawn mounted on a slab of locally mined quartzite. In 1998 Nine District of the OPPA gave a pulpit bible in his name to the Actinolite United Church in Tweed on its 134 years’ anniversary.

Scott, born in St. Thomas, Ontario on August 21st, 1961, son of Herbie and Marilyn and brother to Debbie, Cindy and Robert. He was the President of his high school Student Council and a dedicated member of the football team. After high school, Scott attended the University of Waterloo enrolled in the Economics Undergraduate Studies. Scott soon realized he developed an interest in Law Enforcement. He attended Fanshawe College in the Police Foundations Law and Security program.

He was a member of the Peel Regional Police Force, Brampton in 1981 and remained with Peel for 8 years.

Scott married Penny in 1983 and soon had their first son Benjamin who was born in May 1984. Their joy soon turned to sadness as Benjamin was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away in August of that same year. Scott and Penny were again blessed with a son Joshua in 1986 and a daughter Erin in 1990. Scott wanted his family to grow up in a smaller community as he did.  He then applied and was hired by the Ingersoll Police Force in 1989 and settled his family in his home town of St. Thomas.

Scott was dedicated in not only protecting and serving the community but for the residents of Peel and Ingersoll he was an extension of their community. He especially wanted children not be afraid of the person in the uniform, taking time to just say “hello” and let them know police are friendly and someone they can trust.

On September 19, 1990 directly behind the Ingersoll Police Headquarters Scott completed a routine check on an adult male. The suspect ultimately gaining control of Scott’s weapon and shot him once in the back of his head. Scott died immediately leaving his 4 year old son, 1 year old daughter and his wife a young widow. Scott had just celebrated his 30th birthday.

It was an honour when Scott’s name was adopted into the OPP the year Ingersoll Police Force became OPP.

Losing Scott was devastating for his family, friends and colleagues.

This dedication in Scott’s name is an honour for him and a wonderful tribute to his memory. On behalf of his family, (including his mother who unfortunately cannot attend due to illness) we thank you once again for keeping him in your family of police men and women and always in our hearts as our hero.

Tom Cooper was born on August 4, 1950.  A career in policing was on his mind throughout his time at Waterloo Collegiate. His was accepted by the OPP on October 4, 1971, just a month after his twenty-first birthday. Tom worked in both the north and south of the province but he was attracted to northern Ontario and chose to go back there when he had the opportunity.

He worked in Kingston, Sharbot Lake, Burlington and Milton. He was primarily a traffic officer at those detachments and he trained on motorcycles and worked on two wheels in the latter two detachments. Tom had an insight into northern postings when he worked at Gravenhurst and Bala, but it was in places like Minaki, Ignace, Dryden and Grassy Narrows that he came to enjoy the wild country. He worked at Grassy Narrows from 1981-1983 and was determined to return to the north in the future.

Grassy Narrows is an isolated Ojibway First Nations territory of perhaps seven hundred residents. Tom Cooper found satisfaction in working with First Nations people and understood the problems of unemployment and isolation they faced. In turn, the aboriginals had a good rapport with Tom. When he came back to Grassy Narrows detachment as an acting sergeant in the charge of the detachment, there was general local approval.

When Tom returned for his second posting at Grassy Narrows detachment he found there were real problems with substance abuse among the local people. On Thursday, July 25, 1991, Sergeant Cooper and a fellow Constable were called to a firearms complaint call. A twenty-seven year old, part-time trapper and guide was terrorizing his family after they had confronted him about his behaviour due to gasoline sniffing. Sergeant Cooper knocked on the door of the family home unaware that the man was outside and nearby. Cooper was struck in the head by a .22 bullet and died at once.

The suspect fled into the bushes and a search party of up to 79 officers took place. During the four days of searching for the suspect, two additional officers were wounded. The suspect was found on the fourth day and was arrested without further incident.

A memorial service was held for Sergeant Tom Cooper in Kenora and later a funeral was held in Kitchener. Today, they recall Tom Cooper with a big plaque at the detachment where he worked.

Tom was survived by his girlfriend.

“Big John” Gregovski, a Hungarian speaking son of immigrants to south-western Ontario, was born on September 7, 1942. He was an avid fan of John Wayne. He joined the OPP on October 7, 1963 where he worked at the St. Catharines Detachment until that office closed in 1985. At that time he moved to the Niagara Falls Detachment.

John was a highly popular officer with both the public and his fellow workers. In addition to the Big John moniker, they variously called him Grotty, Grog or Fish after one of his favourite outdoor activities. Another activity he enjoyed was bow hunting where he met police officers from the American side of the Niagara River.

During his quarter century police career he received numerous cards of appreciation from people that he helped on the highway. “Highway” is the operative word because he was a traffic officer and policed the busy highways in the St. Catharines and Niagara areas. Later in his career he became very interested in truck and their maintenance and safe operation. Frequently he worked in conjunction with Ministry of Transport officers in enforcement work.

Constable Gregovski was on the night shift on January 4, 1989 when he went to assist a disabled van on the Queen Elizabeth Way at the base of the Garden City Skyway Bridge. A wrecker had been called and the two men were seated in the cruiser, which had all its roof lights activated. At about two-thirty a.m. a westbound tractor trailer came up in the right-hand land of the three-lane roadway, struck the cruiser, pushed it into the disabled van and sent both vehicles over two hundred feet up the Skyway Bridge. Both the officer and the thirty-six year old passenger sitting in the police car died instantly. The truck driver was later charged with criminal negligence causing death.

John was survived by his wife and two children.

On March 26, 1986 Cpl. Leavoy attended at the Shaftbury Steak House in Little Current for a disturbance call. He was with Cst. Mitchell. Cst. Mitchell attempted to arrest a male person who began to resist. Cpl. Leavoy assisted with the arrest. A struggle ensued which continued until back-up arrived to assist with the arrest and removal of the man. Upon their return to the Detachment, Cst. Mitchell noticed Cpl. Leavoy was in obvious pain. He was taken to hospital and two days later he died.

Randall (Randy) Skidmore was born on August 15, 1959 in Burlington, Ontario. He attended Barton Secondary School where he graduated grade thirteen. He was an all-round athlete who enjoyed soccer, football and a round of golf.

Randy’s uncle, a Superintendent with the OPP, encouraged Randy to begin his career in policing and on January 11, 1982 he was hired by the OPP. His first posting was in northern Ontario at Geraldton Detachment where he was a hard worker and was seen to have an aptitude for criminal work. He enjoyed spending a great deal of time on back roads frequently using the Dodge Ram charger utility vehicle.

In May of 1985 Randy, his wife and their son moved south and was posted at Coboconk detachment. Randy was popular with his colleagues at the Coboconk office and his work was recognized; he was to take a criminal investigation course in the near future.

Upon his return to the detachment there was an investigation job waiting for him involving a school bus and another vehicle near Sebright. The officer picked up a vehicle similar to that which he had used in Geraldton. The sport utility 1984 Dodge Ram charger should have been ideal for light snow and wet pavement; unfortunately this model was not four-wheel drive.

Constable Skidmore was travelling north on Highway 503 toward Sebright and approximately one mile north of the Trent Canal there was washboard area on the road. The police vehicle went out of control on the rough surface, entered the east ditch, then struck a rock face and began to roll. Constable Skidmore was partially ejected and the vehicle landed on top of him killing him instantly.

There was a police funeral for the four-year veteran of the OPP, held in Hamilton. At not quite twenty-seven years old, Randy Skidmore was laid to rest in Hamilton.

Craig Campbell’s career was short-lived but he left a lasting mark on those who knew him. He was a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and chose the Ontario Provincial Police as his career as policing offered him a challenge.

Just three weeks past his probationary period, Constable Campbell and his partner were notified to be on the lookout for a car that had evaded police. The officers were getting into position when the driver of the suspect car spotted them and lost control of his vehicle. The OPP cruiser was struck broadside, killing Constable Craig Campbell and injuring his partner. Two passengers in the suspect vehicle were also killed. The driver was found to be drunk and driving with a suspended licence.

A photograph of Craig hangs in the lobby of the Kincardine Detachment, a constant reminder to fellow officers of the loss of a brother. In order to commemorate Craig’s life, his parents established the D. Craig Campbell Memorial award which is granted to the top member of each recruit class at the O.P.P. Academy, allowing the new officer to name a charity to receive a $100 donation.

Craig was survived by his wife.