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Several first responders and civilians lined the Bayfield Street Bridge over Highway 400 in Barrie today to pay their respects to the murder of OPP Const. Marc Hovingh.
Hovingh’s body was transported back from Toronto to Manitoulin Island, where he was fatally shot last week.
The procession, which had a police escort, made its way through Barrie shortly after 1 p.m.. m. , Monday. Groups also gathered at other bridges in the city to greet the 52-year-old officer who had spent several years in Barrie as a child.
OPP Special Const. Jamie Barchaf was one of about 50 people who stood on Bayfield Street Bridge.
« I think it’s important for everyone to realize the senseless loss of life and I think it’s amazing how many people are out here, » Barchaf told BarrieToday. “It’s been a tough day for the officers so it’s just great for us to see this support. ”
Hovingh, who spent much of his youth in Barrie and attended Timothy Christian School, died in November. 19 following a fatal shot during a police interaction related to a property dispute in Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island. Another person on the scene, a 60-year-old man named Gary Brohman, also died.
Shortly after arriving, the officers located the man who was in a trailer and there was « some interaction ». « Around 11 o’clock. m. There was an exchange of fire between Hovingh and the man in which both men were shot. They were taken to the hospital, where both died from their injuries.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing to investigate the incident to determine what happened during the call.
Hovingh and his family left Barrie before he graduated from high school. Before his death, he made a 28-year career with the OPP.
Jenna Montgomery is not a first aider and did not know Hovingh, but felt it was important to be on the bridge today despite the cold wind.
« I just think we should be supporting those who are risking their lives for us, literally in this situation, » said Montgomery. “It’s cold today, but the least we can do is show that we care and appreciate what the police are doing. ”
Dale Putters was on the bridge Monday afternoon and said he didn’t care too much about the angry feeling towards the police these days and wished the bridge had “so many people they had to block the road. ”
« I know that there are police officers who give others a bad name, which happens in every area of life. That doesn’t mean it isn’t sad when an officer, no less a man from Barrie, is shot and dies doing his job, ”Putters said. “It’s nice to see the Canadian flags and it would have been better if 100 people were here. ”
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Ontario Provincial Police, Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin County Police Officer, Special Investigation Division
World News – CA – Region Procession for Murdered OPP Officials (5 Photos / Video)
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