John Tory, police pay respects as procession carrying slain OPP officer begins trek to Barrie

On an overcast Friday morning, scores of first responders lined up to salute slain OPP Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala as his procession began in Toronto.

Mayor John Tory attended the tribute to the rookie officer, along with members of the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services and the OPP. A helicopter flew overhead as the officer’s body was driven out of the Centre for Forensic Services in a black hearse.

The procession will continue northbound along Hwy. 400 until it reaches Barrie, Pierzchala’s hometown.

People have been invited to show their respects to the 28-year-old officer at highway overpasses, though police have asked drivers not stop on the highway to exit their vehicle. A funeral will be held in Barrie on Jan. 4.

The procession is being livestreamed here.

Pierzchala was a member of the Haldimand detachment of the OPP. Hours after he passing his probation period as a new officer, he was shot on Tuesday afternoon while responding to a call about a vehicle in a ditch on Indian Line at Concession 14 Walpole, at the border of Haldimand County and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation near Hagersville, Ont.

He later died in hospital.

Randall McKenzie, 25, and Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry, 30, have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death.

More to come

With a file from Kieran Leavitt

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