John Verral spent nine years in industry after leaving Simcoe District High School. He was born on April 15, 1939, and after leaving school he worked as a shipper with Canada Wire and Cable. Then he made a career move which was much more to his liking.

John joined the Simcoe Police force and worked with that department for two years. During that time he trained on motorcycles and thoroughly enjoyed his work. When he applied to join the Ontario Provincial Police he indicated that for him the provincials were a superior force and had more to offer. He was appointed to the O.P.P. on November 21, 1966. He served his entire career in Oakville.

In his free time he enjoyed training his dog, carpentry, skating, golf and weight lifting. On the job he was singled out for “care and consideration of his uniform and equipment”.

Two years after he became an Ontario Provincial Police officer, Constable Verral was chosen to become a member of the Golden Helmets Precision Motorcycle Team.

On October 8, 1971 the team was putting on a show at the Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe, Ontario. The problems started when the second last ride was performed. Constable Verral was having difficulty maintaining speed, control and balance of the bike. In the last crowd-pleasing event, called “The Charge” or “Finale Formation” two teams of machines in parallel lines ride towards each other with flashing lights and sirens in full operation. As they approach each other they pass through and continue to the opposite end of the show track.

When the piece commenced, the noise of both machines and the roar of the crowd were deafening. Verral was leading a team of three machines and had almost reached the end of his leading run when his bike began to wobble. He veered to the right and struck the last rider in the oncoming group. This threw him in the path of another machine proceeding parallel to him in the same direction. The rider could not avoid Constable Verral and ran over him. Constable Verral died of a broken neck and other injuries.

John Verral was survived by his wife, two daughters and one son.