Honouring Ontario Provincial Police Const. Greg Pierzchala’s memory

Police officers, as well as a number of other first responders and members of the public, gathered in Dunnville's Waterfront Park on April 15 for the OPP Youth Foundation's Getting After It" Greg Pierzchala Memorial Ride.

There are people from across the province here to celebrate Greg's life and his dedication," said Const. Ed Sanchuk with the Norfolk detachment of the OPP.

Pierzchala was fatally shot on Dec. 27, 2022, responding to what Haldimand's former detachment commander Insp. Phil Carter previously told The Sachem would normally have been considered a garden variety, everyday call."

Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour came to participate in the ride, with several of his fellow officers.

I felt I had to be here," he said.

Montour noted that members of Pierzchala's family and fellow police from Haldimand OPP were in attendance, and so he and his group had come to show all of them that We're here, and we care about them and everything they're going through."

Sanchuk noted that there had been over 200 cyclists preregistered, with even more showing up the day of to take part.

Over $10,000 was raised. Adam Belanger, captain of the OPP cycling team and organizer of the event, said five youths had been chosen from Pierzchala's high school, St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Barrie, and the money will go to sponsor their participation in extracurricular activities."

Justine Pierzchala, Pierzchala's sister, shared a few brief comments and a prayer before the ride began. She thanked everyone for the support they'd given to her and the rest of the family and spoke about the impact her brother had made with so many in his short life.

Greg truly left this world with meaning," she said.

- With files from the Barrie Advance