Funeral for slain OPP constable to be held in Barrie Wednesday
Posted Jan 4, 2023 02:34:00 PM.
Police officers from across the country will be in Barrie, Ont. on Wednesday morning to attend the funeral of an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer killed in the line of duty last week.
Const. Greg Pierzchala’s family will be joined by thousands — including members of the OPP, other police services and first responders, Canadian Armed Forces members, and officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
The private service gets underway at 11 a.m. in the slain officers hometown. Members of the public are being invited to observe a procession as it makes its way from Adams Funeral Home to Sadlon Arena.
Around 9:15 a.m., police officers will begin marching from Big Bay Point Road, south on Bayview Drive to the arena. Service members will line Bayview to honour the funeral cortege as it passes by.
The procession is scheduled to start around 9:30 a.m. and travel along the following route:
- St. Vincent Street to Wellington Street East
- Wellington Street East to Eccles Street North
- Eccles Street North to Innisfil Street
- Innisfil Street to Essa Road
- Essa Road to Fairview Road
- Fairview Road to Big Bay Point Road
- Big Bay Point Road to Bayview Drive (pedestrians can access the west side of Bayview Drive but not the east side)
The following road closures will be in effect in Barrie:
- Bayview Drive from Big Bay Point Road to Churchill Drive – 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Harvie Road/Big Bay Point Road will be closed from Veterans Drive to Bayview Drive – 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Bayview Drive from Churchill Drive to Mapleview Drive – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Churchill Drive will be closed at Welham Road, with local traffic access only.
- Fairview Road will be closed at Little Avenue, with local traffic access only.
Pierzchala, a former constable at the provincial legislature and member of the Armed Forces, was killed in what police have called an “ambush” attack after he responded to a call for a vehicle in a ditch west of Hagersville, Ont. on Dec. 27.
He had just passed his 10-month probation period when he was shot and killed. Pierzchala is the fourth officer in Ontario to be fatally shot since September.
Randall McKenzie, 25, and 30-year-old Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry each face a charge of first-degree murder in his death.
Those looking to pay their respects can watch the private funeral service through a livestream. An in-person broadcast is taking place at the Caledonia Lions Hall in Haldimand County, where Pierzchala was based with the OPP.
Condolences can be left for Pierzchala’s family on the memorial page on the OPP website. A book of condolences can be signed in person at the Haldimand County OPP Detachment in Cayuga, Ont.
With files from The Canadian Press
Today, members of @WRPSToday will join officers and police civilians from across the country to remember and pay respect to Constable Pierzchala.
Our condolences continue to go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and community.#HerosInLife pic.twitter.com/5fwymf2t20
— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) January 4, 2023
