The Toronto Blue Jays before their Friday night game against the New York Yankees paid tribute to the two police officers who were killed in the line of duty this week.
The photos of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali and Toronto police Const. Marc Pinizzotto were shown on the jumbotron as those at the Rogers Centre held a moment of silence.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) thanked the Blue Jays for “recognizing and honouring the service and sacrifice” of the two officers.
“Our policing family continues to grieve alongside their loved ones, colleagues, and communities. We are deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from across Toronto and throughout the country during this difficult time,” TPS said in a social media post.
Bali was attempting to stop a vehicle in northern Ontario on Tuesday when he was struck and killed.
Pinizzotto was fatally shot at an apartment building on Martha Eaton Way near Black Creek and Trethewey Drives on Thursday while executing one of the five search warrants in relation to multiple shootings in the city, including the one at the U.S. consulate.
Mother honours ‘extraordinary son’
In a Facebook post, Pinizzotto’s mother, Linda, honoured him, calling him an “extraordinary son” and “everyone’s hero.”
“We struggle to find sleep and solace in the darkness as our grief lingers, it is impossible,” she wrote in a lengthy post.
“An incredible father, son, husband coach and friend of many. His devastating passing, the cruel heartbreak of reality has brought us to our knees. He idolized his / our whole family.”
Linda also described her son as a “dedicated” officer “who worked relentlessly, determined to safeguard us around the clock.”
Pinizzotto spent the last five-plus years of his policing career as a “specially trained” member of the Emergency Task Force unit.
“MARC is our beacon of hope, guiding us with his message to bring an end to violence,” she added.
Both suspects in the deaths of the two officers are facing first-degree murder.
Meanwhile, Toronto police are still looking for 19-year-old Zara Jabbi who is wanted in connection with the shooting at the U.S. consulate.
With files from Joanna Lavoie, Codi Wilson and Phil Tsekouras
