Procession for the OPP officer who died today

A police procession was held Friday morning for Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala who was killed earlier this week near Hagersville, Ontario.

The motorcade left the Center of Forensic Sciences in Toronto at 9 a.m. and headed north on Highway 400 to a funeral home in Barrie, his hometown.

Hundreds of first responders from across the province were present at various locations along the parade route.

Members of the public were also asked to show their respect from one of the many overpasses along Highway 400.

const. Ed Sanchuk attended the procession and said Const. Pierzchala is remembered as a « ball of life ».

« We are heartbroken. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy, » he said.

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said he was honored to pay tribute to the fallen officer.

« This young officer is one of the officers who every day get up and put on their uniforms and come to work as our guardians and protectors. They are committed to keeping us safe and they do that every day, » Pegg said. .

« Our people work side by side, boots on the pitch every day. When something like this happens to one of us, it affects us all, » he added.

A police funeral for Pierzchala will be held in Barrie on January 4. The OPP said details will be announced once they are finalized.

Pierzchala, 28, was shot and killed on Tuesday afternoon while responding to a call about a vehicle in a ditch.

Two suspects allegedly stole a vehicle to flee the scene. They later abandoned that vehicle and fled the scene on foot, but officers were able to follow and arrest them nearby.

The body of const. Grzegorz « Greg » Pierzchala is escorted through Barrie during a police motorcade on December 30, 2022.

Randall McKenzie, 25, of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation and Brandi Stewart-Sperry, 30, of Hamilton have both been charged with first degree murder.

McKenzie and Stewart-Sperry appeared in Cayuga court on Wednesday afternoon via video. They are both due in court on January 17.

Prior to his death, Pierzchala had worked for the Ontario Provincial Police for over a year. At the start of his shift on Tuesday, he had been told that he had completed his 10-month probationary period with the force.

A motorcade of police escorted the body of Const. Grzegorz « Greg » Pierzchala from Toronto to Barrie on Dec. 30, 2022. (Kenneth Enlow/CP24)