In the wake of the shocking and senseless death of Police Constable Andrew Hong of Traffic Services yesterday afternoon, the Toronto Police Services Board offers its deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues.
As a city, we mourn the death of a beloved husband, father, son, brother-in-law, friend, as well as a dedicated police officer. By all accounts, P.C. Hong was an exceedingly kind and positive person, gentle and caring, funny and warm, who loved his family, and did his job with extraordinary commitment and great professionalism.
As we all so profoundly know, a police officer takes an oath to serve and protect the members of our community, diligently, with dedication, and despite the very real risks inherent in a profession premised on ensuring the safety of the public. An officer who gives their life in the line of duty, as P.C. Hong has done, has, undoubtedly, made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Toronto Police Service is very much a family, and when we lose a Member – especially in such a horrifying way – the reverberations of sadness, anger and grief, echo deeply throughout this organization.
To our Members, we know that your hearts are broken. We are grieving alongside you. Board Members and members of our Board Office staff were there to honour P.C. Hong last night, to pay our respects in the procession escorting his body, as part of the process to be laid to rest. We were also there this morning, beside Chief Ramer, Toronto Police Association representatives, and members of Traffic Services, to share in your loss of a colleague. And, we will continue to be there as we mourn this profound loss, together.
In this time of extraordinary grief and sadness, lean on each other. We hope that the various supports and resources available to you through the Service will help you as you process the powerful sorrow you are experiencing.
Know that we are so very grateful for the risks you take every single day to keep this city safe. Know that your incredible dedication to duty is valued by the members of our communities. We do not take the significant risks you take daily on our behalf lightly. We thank you sincerely for your service, for your courage, and for your commitment.
Our hearts and thoughts are with the family of P.C. Hong, his wife, son, daughter, and his parents, along with the Members of the Toronto Police Service, as we mourn his senseless and tragic death, and honour the ultimate sacrifice he has made, in serving a city he loved.
Contact: Sandy Murray
sandy.murray@tpsb.ca
416-808-8090
You received this email because you subscribed to this mailing list on the TPSB website. Click here to Unsubscribe