Funeral Service Held for Slain OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala

OPP officers escort Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala's casket prior to his funeral in Barrie, ON. on Jan. 4, 2023. The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

A private funeral is underway today for a 28-year-old Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer who was shot and killed last week in the line of duty near Hagersville, southwest of Toronto.

The funeral service for Const. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala is being held in his hometown, Barrie, on Jan. 4, starting at 11 a.m. ET, the OPP said.

Starting around 9:30 a.m., the funeral procession travelled from the Adams Funeral Home to Sadlon Arena at 555 Bayview Ave., where the service will be held. While the public was invited to join and observe the funeral procession, the service at the arena is closed to the public. It is live-streamed on the OPP’s social media channels, including YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

What appears to be hundreds of police officers attended the funeral service.

“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, especially when it’s one of our own, it has a profound effect on all officers, our members, their families, and friends," OPP Chief Superintendent Dwight Thib said at the funeral service.

A number of government officials also attended the service, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones, as well as representatives from all levels of government.

Pierzchala, who was based out of the Haldimand County detachment, was fatally shot on Dec. 27, 2022, while responding to a motor vehicle collision in Hagersville. The officer was transferred to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. At that point, he had only been with the OPP for about a year.

Two suspects—Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry, 30, and Randall McKenzie, 25—have been charged with first-degree murder. The two were charged and apprehended near the crime scene after Pierzchala was allegedly shot from inside a stolen vehicle.

Pierzchala was among six police officers killed in Canada since last September, and his tragic death has sparked calls for bail reform.

Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario’s 29th Lieutenant Governor, said at the funeral service also noted that “the devastating loss” of Pierzchala comes at an already difficult time for members of the police community.

“We’ve never lost so many police officers in this province in such a short period,” she said. 

The OPP has set up an online book of condolences for Pierzchala, and the public is welcomed to email their condolences to [email protected]. The OPP said the book may later be published.

Peter Wilson and Tara MacIsaac contributed to this report.