To Serve & Protect In Life - TPS Constable Marc Pinizzotto

This morning, I awoke prior to 0600 hours to read another heartbreaking text from a fellow lead chaplain in Ontario - the LODD of a Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force member. I had to read the text a couple of times with the hope that somehow, I misread it the first time. Although I never served with TPS, I wanted to be in denial of the news. I can't imagine how Constable Marc Pinizzotto's family, friends and peers feel at this very moment as they try to process the murder of the one they love.

I had been reading the social media posts throughout the day and I was surprised that a family photo of Marc, his wife Linda, son and daughter was posted in several articles. My first emotion arose from a retired cop's protective instinct in that we need to safeguard the privacy and identity of Marc's family. However, after some reflection, I feel the public needs to see that cops are just members of a community, with families who love them, and expect they will return home after their tour of duty. A resident of Toronto, by his cowardly act this morning, has permanently prevented Marc's return home, and has forever changed the Pinizzotto family, relatives, friends and peers at Toronto Police Service.

To serve and protect should never mean having to sacrifice ones' life unto death. Within three days, the law enforcement community in Ontario has suffered two tragedies; the murder of OPP Constable Tarun Bali on June 9th, and now TPS Constable Marc Pinizzotto. It is heartbreaking for all law enforcement officers, active and retired, to read that these men's careers have ended at the hands of others and not by their own choice. The loss to Ontario and to Canada is huge ... there will never be another Tarun or another Marc to serve and protect and sacrifice for their communities.

Marc was only 43 years young, with 18 years of dedicated service with Toronto PS. Five of those years were in service as a highly trained officer with the TPS Emergency Task Force. His life was taken while executing a search warrant in North York.

On behalf of the CPCA Executive, National Leadership Team, and all CPCA members, our deepest condolences to Constable Marc Pinizzotto's wife Linda, son and daughter, family, extended family, relatives, and all those who have and are currently employed with the Toronto Police Service. As police chaplains, we grieve your loss, and we are actively praying for you as you endure the pain and suffering of this personal tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers are also with Ravi and the TPS Wellness Team, TPS Police Chief Myron Demkiw & his ranking officers & supervisors, counsellors, and all the TPS chaplains as you give all you have from your hearts to support those at TPS who are hurting, while in the midst of enduring your own heartache. May God strengthen you with His love and compassion to bring hope to those who feel the desperation in these dark hours. Thank you for being amazing caregivers to all the first responders affected by today's shooting. We are in your debt.

Deepest sympathies,

Bruce Ewanyshyn

CPCA President

ICPC Director of Region 1

Retired Brandon PS Constable & Honorary Chaplain

We grieve and thank you Marc, Linda, son and daughter for the ultimate sacrifice - heroes in life.