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Lots of of individuals ‘Acquired after it’ to honour slain Haldimand County OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala on Saturday.
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Ontario Provincial Police, municipal cops, dignitaries and residents gathered in Dunnville to take part in a memorial bike experience for the officer who was killed within the line of responsibility on Dec. 27 of final 12 months.
The individuals have been joined by Pierzchala’s dad and mom – Jan and Janina- and his siblings Justyna, Michal and Chris.
“I do know Greg is in heaven watching over every one in every of us with the fullest coronary heart and the most important smile on his face,” Justyna stated throughout a prayer previous to the experience’s begin. “Though all we’re left with are reminiscences, you will need to acknowledge that Greg really left this world with that means, having an affect on so many individuals.
“Lord, thank-you for placing him into this world and serving to him with a lifetime of goal. Could all of us try to do the identical.”
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The occasion was known as the “Getting After It” experience and comes from a phrase Pierzchala usually used to encourage himself and others to be the perfect particular person potential.
“Could all of us have the power to say after the experience that ‘I’ve fought the nice combat, I’ve completed, I’ve saved the religion and as Greg would say ‘I acquired after it,’” Justyna stated.
Justyna thanked all of those that organized and attended the occasion on behalf of the Pierzchala household.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique participated within the experience and he too thanked everybody for his or her help.
“I believe for the primary time within the historical past of any police experience that we’ve been joined by so many police chiefs,” Carrique stated. “Now we have the chief of Aylmer, (Zvonko Horvat), the chief of Brantford (Rob Davis), we’ve got the chief of Six Nations (Darren Montour) and we’ve got robust illustration from all of our Trip to Keep in mind household.”
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Davis was joined by Brantford metropolis councillor Greg Martin, who can be chair of the Brantford Police Providers Board, and deputy chief Jason Saunders.
“They’re all right here to have a good time the lifetime of Provincial Constable Greg Pierzchala,” Carrique stated. “To say thanks to Greg’s household, for permitting us to honour and pay tribute to Greg, to precise our respect for you and to make that dedication to you that Greg will at all times be remembered.”
Carrique stated the households of officers have to know that they’re supported and communities want to point out their help and respect for cops.
Leanne McPherson additionally participated within the experience.
“I labored with Greg at Queen’s Park, he was a candy, candy man,” McPherson, a member of the Queen’s Park OPP detachment, stated. “The conversations I had with him, going over them in my thoughts, he was humble, a superb particular person.
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“We labored many night time shifts collectively and I had the chance to have many fantastic conversations with him.”
Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis and Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley additionally attended the experience. Lewis known as Pierzchala a hero who gave his life to serve and defend his group. She additionally prolonged to the household, the group’s “deepest gratitude” for his or her sacrifice.
Bentley stated work is underway for a everlasting memorial in Pierzchala’s honor.
The occasion included 20, 40 and 80-kilomtre routes which took riders alongside the Lake Erie Shoreline. The 80-kilometre riders started their route from the Dunnville Farmers’ Market and have been despatched off by the OPP Commissioner’s Personal Pipes and Drums.
Cyclists who took the 20 and 40-kilometre routes left from the Disciples Convention Centre and all the rides ended on the farmers’ market.
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Registration started at 9:30 a.m. and continued previous 10:30 a.m. to accommodate all the individuals who confirmed as much as take part. There have been greater than 200 riders by 9:45 and there was nonetheless a line-up of bikers wanting to register at 10:45 a.m.
The occasion was organized by the OPP, the OPP Youth Basis and the Pierzchala household. Proceeds from the occasion can be used to assist 5 youth from Pierzchala’s highschool – St. Joan of Arc Catholic Excessive College in Barrie – take part in extra-curricular actions.
Pierzchala was shot whereas responding to a name a few automobile in a ditch west of Hagersville on Dec. 27. He later died in hospital. He was 28.
Police have stated Pierzchala was ambushed and had no likelihood to defend himself Two individuals, Randall McKenzie, 25, of Six Nations of the Grand River, and Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry, 30, of Hamilton, have been charged with first-degree homicide in Pierzchala’s demise.
McKenzie was out on bail on the time of the capturing for allegedly assaulting three individuals together with a peace officer and for associated weapons offences together with carrying a handgun with a defaced serial quantity.
There was a bench warrant out for his arrest for failing to look for a courtroom date on the time Pierzchala was killed.
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