OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, slain on the job, remembered at funeral as 'an example of service over self'
Thousands attend Haldimand County officer's funeral at arena in hometown of Barrie
Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala, an Ontario Provincial Police officer killed in the line of duty on Dec. 27, was remembered at his funeral in Barrie on Wednesday as a hero — "an example of service over self" — as well as a loving brother and a gifted athlete who embraced his Polish roots.
Thousands of officers, emergency services personnel, Armed Forces personnel and dignitaries filled Sadlon Arena for the two-hour private funeral, which began at 11 a.m. ET and was livestreamed to the public.
With eight OPP officers as pallbearers, Pierzchala's family was front and centre as bagpipes played ahead of the service. During the procession leading to the arena, which holds about 5,000 people, thousands of police officers and first responders lined the route in the pouring rain.
Pierzchala was responding to a black truck in a ditch near Hagersville, about 45 kilometres southwest of Hamilton, at about 2:30 p.m. two days after Christmas when he was shot.
The officer is survived by his mother Janina, father Jan, and his siblings Chris, Michal, and Justyna.
Justyna and Michal both spoke at the funeral.
'So much more than just a police officer'
Justyna said Greg loved art, dancing, gardening and spending time at Algonquin Park, in nature.
"He had his priorities set straight.... His health, his faith, his education, his work, and above all family."
She also said her brother was "so much more than just a police officer.
"He was always curious and wanted to learn as much as he possibly could.... He loved art. It was a pain to go to museums with him because he could stare at a single painting all day. He would tell me about his plans to dedicate a whole room in his future house where he could go and stare at artwork after a long day," Justyna said.
"One of the last talks that we managed to have, he mentioned that no matter how small my circle of friends got, he would always be there, both as a brother and as a best friend."
Michal said Pierzchala was "the most courageous person I knew," and he knew the risks that came with his job.
He said his brother often collected more books than he could ever read, and would go above and beyond with the hobbies he chose.
"Greg had this really unique effect of inspiring you to become more," Michal said.
An example of this was Pierzchala buying flowers for his mom, after working out and completing a 12-hour job shift. "It made me think, 'Oh, maybe I should do something today.'"
Dreams since childhood of becoming an officer
Dwight Thib, OPP chief superintendent and Pierzchala's regional commander, presided over the funeral service and made opening remarks.
"My heart is broken," he said. "One of my biggest fears when I was promoted to the rank of chief was an on-duty death of one of my members.
"When the unthinkable happens ... it has a profound effect on all officers, our members, their families and friends."
To members of the local detachment, Thib said: "We are here with you, and we will continue to support you as we strive to get through this difficult time together. Greg would have wanted nothing less."
Pierzchala had dreamed of becoming a police officer since he was a young boy, the OPP has said. He began his policing career in Haldimand in September 2021, after training as a Canadian military officer.
A graduate of Toronto's York University, Pierzchala was also a skilled athlete. At St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Barrie, he was named male athlete of the year. He also was a member of York University's wrestling team.
Pierzchala had deep connections to his Polish heritage.
At the funeral, Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared remarks about Pierzchala's life and death.
"He will always be honoured with the greatest respect," Ford said. "Greg's life was one of duty, one of service to others."
Witold Dzielski, Poland's ambassador to Canada, said Pierzchala was part of a long history of Polish Canadians serving their country and community.
Dzielski said he spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda about Pierzchala's death this past week, and Duda passed on his "sincere condolences to the family."
"He died while serving others, he died as a hero."
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said Pierzchala's life "was an example of service over self."
"For Greg, keeping our province safe was never about the destination — it was always about the journey."
Ontario Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell said, "Seldom do we fully appreciate the weight of being there for us in our darkest hours. All we can do now is to be there in yours.
"The devastating loss comes at any already difficult time. We've never lost so many police officers in this province."
Dozens in Caledonia watch funeral livestream
In Caledonia near the Haldimand OPP detachment where Pierzchala served, community members and first responders gathered at the Caledonia Lions Club to watch a livestream of the funeral service.
With the local mayor in Barrie, Deputy Mayor John Metcalfe was in Caledonia to welcome about 70 people and thanked "all first responders who put their safety on the line to keep this community safe."
The room was quiet, save for the sounds of music, then speeches from the funeral. Some attendees cried silently at their seats.
"I made a point of going around and finding all the obvious first responders. I shook everyone's hand and said thank you for your service," said attendee Sheila Kozak, who lives in nearby Simcoe. "I just want to show my support."
Glen Lickers, retired chief of police with the Six Nations Police Service, was also at the gathering in Caledonia.
"[This is] an opportunity to show my support for the family and for the members of the OPP and members of the Six Nations Police Service that were also part of that tragic incident," he said.
Constable had just passed probation
The procession carrying Pierzchala's body travelled from Toronto to Barrie on Friday.
He's the fourth officer to be killed in Ontario, and the fifth killed in Canada, while on duty since mid-September.
A man and a woman were arrested shortly after the shooting and now face first-degree murder charges.
Pierzchala died the same day he learned he had passed his 10-month probation. He had been patrolling independently since April, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said recently.
At the funeral, Carrique said he was "heartbroken, humbled, proud, grateful and indebted."
"Over the last week, I have spent considerable time reflecting on a brief moment in time and a very special photograph that I will cherish forever," he said, showing a photo of himself with Pierzchala.
He said that around Easter last year, he stopped while off duty to say hello to a patrolling OPP officer. That officer was Pierzchala, out on one of his first solo patrols.
"Little did I know that only eight months later, at Christmas nonetheless, our paths would cross again."
"It's cruel, beyond words," Ford said to mourners at the funeral.
"This brave young man died just two days after Christmas. This is yet another reminder that the job of an officer is one of commitment."
Final salute before Pierzchala laid to rest
Carrique presented Pierzchala's uniform hat and a folded Ontario flag to his family at the end of the funeral service before the casket was taken from the arena.
It was followed by the family and members of the Haldimand OPP detachment, and then placed into the hearse to be taken to Holy Spirit Parish in Barrie for a private funeral mass.
Officers lined the lane leaving the arena and gave Pierzchala a final salute.
The Commissioner's Own Pipes and Drums of the OPP played before the procession of police cars, the hearse and family members left to see Pierzchala off on the last leg of the journey before he was taken to his final resting place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
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With files from CBC News, Aura Carreño Rosas and Candace Maracle