The OPP Association is devastated our member Sergeant Eric Mueller has been shot and killed in the line of duty, and two of our members have been wounded in Bourget, Ontario. We offer our deepest condolences to Sergeant Mueller’s wife and two young children, to his colleagues and friends. Eric will always be remembered for his service and sacrifice. 

All three officers are from the Russell County OPP Detachment in the Ottawa area. 

OPP Association President John Cerasulo states:

“There are no words to express the pain we are all feeling regarding this recent tragedy involving the murder of OPP Sergeant Eric Mueller, who was killed in the line of duty May 11. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered as a Hero in Life, Not Death. Two officers were also injured during the event and are currently in hospital. We are hoping for the recovery of these officers. We send our thoughts to their families and colleagues during this difficult time.

Policing is a dangerous job 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Officers go to work every day to serve and protect the citizens of Ontario. This situation demonstrates that there is no such thing as a routine call. It cannot go unsaid that this is the 9th officer in Canada to be killed in the line of duty in the past several months – our members are asking “When will this violence end?”. 

The risk that officers take every day cannot be overstated, and their sacrifice cannot be taken for granted. Our entire policing community, including our communicators and all civilian support staff are deeply affected by these line of duty deaths, as is our entire community. We don’t have all of the answers. Please keep Sergeant Eric Mueller, his wife, and children, his colleagues, and our policing family in your thoughts as we navigate and grieve this unspeakable tragedy.”

OPP Commissioner Carrique has publicly stated this morning:

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we regretfully advise that OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller has been killed in the line of duty. We await further word on his fellow officers who are still at hospital. Our thoughts are with the officers, their families and colleagues.”

OPP East Region have publicly stated the following:

“Shortly after 2 a.m. on May 11, 2023, officers from the Russell County OPP Detachment were dispatched to a disturbance at a home on Laval Street in Bourget, where someone had reported hearing a gunshot. Three officers arrived on the scene and all three were shot by an individual at the home. All three officers were transported to hospital in Ottawa. One of the officers has since died as a result of their injuries. The others are recovering. One person has been taken into custody and there is no risk to public safety. No further details are available at this time.”

The OPP Association President, members of the Board of Directors and OPPA staff are actively engaged in supporting our members and their families.

We all are hurting this morning. We have notified our Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program of these circumstances and they are available 24/7 for support for our members and their families by calling 1-866-794-9117, or online at encompascare.ca.

The OPP Association will be updating our members on email blastouts when further information is available. Follow our OPP Association social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) for public updates.

Further updates will be provided when available. 

Media contact for OPP Association:
Scott Mills
Cell 647-449-2801
Email communications@oppa.ca.

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