Ottawa marks 48th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service

Thousands of people gathered on Parliament Hill for a somber ceremony to honour fallen Canadian police and peace officers. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy was there.

It was a stark and poignant reminder of the dangers of the job to serve and protect, as thousands gathered on Parliament Hill Sunday for the 48th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.

Officers came from across the country to mark the day, which honours those killed in the line of duty.

“From a policing perspective, this is the most important day that we have annually,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “It is so important, and we must make sure that those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, their families that continue to live the ultimate sacrifice, that those sacrifices are never forgotten.”

The service is a sign of solidarity and honoured 912 police and peace officers with the addition of three new historical names, including Const. Craig Cameron Town, Acting Sgt. George Edgar Cook, and Lance Corporal John Baker.

Flags were lowered to half-mast at all federal buildings in Canada until sunset to commemorate the officers. The service was held on Parliament Hill to symbolize the site where laws are made that impact officers’ safety.

“This gathering is solemn, but it’s also a testament to hope,” said Tom Stamatakis, president of the Canadian Police Association. “Hope that our shared commitment will bring comfort to families who hope that the values of courage, integrity and service will continue to inspire future generations.”

It’s a chance for families to remember their loved ones.

“I think attending these memorials as a child who lost their mom 25 years ago, these events really keep her memory alive. It’s important for me, as her daughter, to continue her legacy,” said Colleen Eve, whose mother was killed in the line of duty in Chatham-Kent.

“This memorial service, of course, is both very sad for us to have to remember every day, but this is also a way for us to come together and feel the support, care and compassion from all the police services that come together to support one another.”

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Also noted, no new names were added for 2024.

“Any time we’re not adding names, I’m grateful for that but the challenge is that this is a very risky job, and our members are being asked to respond to dynamic incidents that they often know very little about,” said Stamatakis. “It’s unfortunately not uncommon that they get hurt or injured and in the most serious of cases, they get killed.”

The ceremony included the Song for the Unsung Hero, the Ottawa Police Pipe and Drums, as well as a moment of silence.