Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
Unit: Corporate Communications
Case #: n/a
Toronto Police Service members who lost their lives Because of the Line of Duty are being honoured with a new memorial.
"It's important to acknowledge the tragic sacrifice that so many policing members have made in the course of their duties," said Chief Myron Demkiw. "Police officers respond to situations that expose them to trauma on a regular basis that can accumulate and have a significant impact on their wellbeing."
A Because of the Line of Duty Death defined as an injury or trauma, sustained during the course of a member's duties, where it has been determined to be a significant contributing factor in their death. These deaths can be caused by an operational stress injury from a single event or trauma accumulated over their careers.
The first officers added to the memorial in a ceremony on May 2, 2024 are:
- Chief John Chisholm
- Sergeant Michael Pedley
- Staff Sergeant Edward Adamson
- Constable Darius Garda
This new initiative was presented to the Toronto Police Service Board today.
"My message to members is to recognize that you do incredible work, incredibly challenging work that will expose you to difficult circumstances. And it's important that we all can acknowledge that it's okay not to be okay," said Demkiw. "Today is a step forward for this organization to honour those who have passed because of the line of duty. It's important for us to focus on destigmatizing self-care surrounding mental health. The suffering caused by operational stress injuries is something we need to address as a policing community and as a society."
Chief Demkiw said there now many avenues to get help through wellness programs but there needs to be a safe space created for people to step forward.
"It's important for us to be able speak in their workplaces and feel safe about acknowledging the realities our members face when they go to work every day and we need to focus on our own self-care and support one another. No one should feel alone."
The memorial is now available at www.tps.ca/honou
The development of this memorial has been years in the making with the consultation of family members of those who have died, mental health experts, Wounded Warriors Canada, Toronto Beyond the Blue, the Toronto Police Association and through a settlement with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
"It memorializes their service and their dedication to policing," said Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid. "This is critically important for the Toronto Police Association as we work every day to destigmatize mental health in policing. Not only do we want our members to feel comfortable putting their hand up for support, but we want our members to feel comfortable checking in on each other."
The Toronto Police Service recognizes the impact and prevalence of operational stress injuries for our members. Due to the nature of police work, members are routinely exposed to traumatic events, dynamic and high-stress situations. As a result member mental health can be chronically affected and in some tragic circumstances, result in death by suicide.
If you need help or know someone who does, remember you are not alone.
- Call 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
- Toronto Police Members can reach out to the Wellness Unit at 416-808-7171
At the May 2nd ceremony at Toronto Police Service Headquarters, members and dignitaries joined the families of police officers being added to the memorial for a ceremony honouring their sacrifice. Media can have unrestricted access to this video of the ceremony and can request a clean version by emailing CorporateCommuni
Statements from Family Members:
"Darius was an empathetic and passionate person who we miss very much. The memorial is bittersweet tribute to the police members that we have lost. We celebrate their lives and grieve their deaths as members of their families but also as part of a larger police community who is hurting. We want policing members to know that they can get the help they need so they can continue to serve others," said Dilnaz Garda, sister of Police Constable Darius Garda.
"My father was very proud of his role at a Toronto police officer and very proud of the police force that he led. We're proud as a family of him and the example he set for all of us generations onward - he taught us a great deal about hard work and leading a fulfilling life. We hope this memorial brings attention to the work that police officers do every day and the challenges they face," said Alan Chisholm, son of Chief John Chisholm.
"My father was my hero. As a family we are very proud of him and want people to know him as a dedicated father and police officer. When you lose a loved one in your life to suicide you feel so alone. But the memorial lets us and other families know that they are not alone and they are supported by a larger community. We hope that it will serve to erase stigma around seeking mental health support. We do not want any other family to experience such a devastating loss," said Melissa Busby, daughter of Sergeant Michael Pedley.
"I am very happy that Ed is being remembered for his contribution to the Toronto Police Service. He loved his work and his colleagues. The memorial ceremony was a fitting tribute to him. It was a wonderful day that I will never forget and cherish with all my heart," said Linda Adamson, wife of Staff Sergeant Edward Adamson.
Devika Deonarine for
Images for this release are available on our website.
