The sister of fallen Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer Grzegorz 'Greg' Pierzchala is remembering her big brother as someone who "died as a hero and lived as an inspiration.”
Speaking alongside her older brother, Michal, during the rookie officer's Jan. 4 funeral service, Justyna Pierzchala said they both saw Greg as a role model.
She said he was someone who took his job as an older sibling very seriously and who always made sure she was in a good place mentally and physically.
Instead of focusing on Pierzchala's many achievements, Justyna chose to share a few thoughts on the person he was and the impact he had on his family.
She said Greg showed her that having a small circle of good, supportive friends was a good thing, and that having the right priorities in life, notably family, was the best way to live.
Justyna spoke about Greg's many hobbies and interests, and how she appreciated the long conversations they had about school and life.
Const. Pierzchala, a member of the OPP's Haldimand County detachment, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 27 just outside of Hagersville, a town roughly 45 kilometres south of Hamilton.
Earlier that day, Pierzchala, who grew up in Barrie, learned he’d successfully completed his 10-month probationary period. While working his first solo shift, he stopped to check out a vehicle in the ditch and was fatally shot.
A 25-year-old man and 30-year-old woman have each been charged with one count of first-degree murder.
During his funeral service, Pierzchala's younger brother, Michal, spoke about how at around the age of 13 a teacher pulled Greg aside and told him to not waste his potential, which he said his brother took to heart and led to him reevaluating his character and his life.
"For whatever reason, Greg took this extremely seriously, and he later told me that this is where he consciously decided to become the respectable and honest person that he'll be remembered as," Michal said.
"It wasn't an easy thing for him to do, but it was worth doing as he had a positive impact on so many people's lives because of it."
Michal said his brother was "humble, generous, funny, and confident," adding the things that made him stand out the most from others were the high standards he held for himself, the obsession he had with excellence, and his strong desire to do things right.
"It wasn't an easy thing to make him proud. He could be be judgmental," shared Michal, who called his brother the "most couragerous person" he knew.
"But, when you did do something right, he would let you know. It would mean the world because when it came from him, you knew that you must have really hit the mark to do something that Greg appreciated."
Michal said he'll never forget the day-to-day interactions he had with Greg, the time he spent with his family, and the efforts he made for all of those he truly cared about.
A number of dignitaries and police officials also spoke during today's funeral service.
Calling Pierzchal's death, a "tragedy, an injustice, and an incomprehensible loss," Ontario's Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell said everyone is here today to support Pierzchala's loving family and his fellow officers.
"Thousands of people across this province and country have chosen to be here today. Thousands who did not know him, but who nevertheless grieve. They grieve deeply," she said.
"Thousands who stand here today because they love what Greg stood for, upheld, and ultimately died to rotect. We love the dream a little boy once held of becoming a police officer and serving his community. We love the aspirations of a young man who approached life with determination and passion to realize that dream. And, we love the principles of duty and service that Greg embody and the peace that he strove to keep."
Premier Doug Ford, in his remarks, said a life of policing is a "family's calling," a sacrifice Pierzchala and countless others choose to make as they put their "life on the line to protect the people of Ontario."
"Greg's life was one of duty, one of service to others. He had limitless potential, his whole life ahead of him. Losing Greg in this way, on the same day he learned he passed his probationary period, on the same day, he would become the officer he always dreamed of bein, it's cruel beyond words," said Ford, who did not know Pierzchala personally, but said from the stories and fond memories he's heard was a "remarkable man in both his work and life," somene who "made a lasting impression on everyone."
"And this brave young man died just two days after Christmas. It's yet another difficult reminder that the job of a police officer is one of total commitment."
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said it's been an emotional week, one that went from learning one of his officers has been shot in the line of duty and "praying passionately" that he'd be okay to "disbelief and absolute heartbreak" when he found out Pierzchala died.
Carrique said he then experienced the fear that came with sharing this devatating news with the young officer's family and the strong desire to by Greg's side and that of his platoon. There was then relief, he said, when two people allegedly responsible for his murder were "safely taken into custody" and "anger and outrage over the senseless and preventable circumstances surrounding Greg's death."
Whie still heartbroken, Carrique said he's humbled to have shared the same uniform as Pierzchala, proud to lead the OPP, grateful to those who came to Pierzchala's aid and stayed by his side, and for the outpouring of support and compassion from the extended policing family and the public, and indebted to Greg's family and all who will carry on his legacy.
The Commisioner met Pierzchal last spring while he was out on patrol and they'd taken a selfie together.
"Little did I know that only eight months later, at Christmas nonetheless, our paths would cross again. However, this time, this time sadly, it would be his final tour of duty," he shared, calling Pierzchala an officer who possessed a committment to "service above self."
"I have heard many inspiring stories regarding how Greg was highly respected as a police officer, an accomplished athlete, and simply an extraordinary individual who by his actions inspired others to do and be better. ... We truly lost an officer who had great potential potential that he demonstrated time and time again."
Witold Dzielski, the Polish Ambassador to Canada, offered a few words of condolence on behalf of Poland's President Andrzej Duda during the service.
He also took moment to speak about the pride Pierzchala had for his culture and his membership in the Polish Canadian Highlander community.
And whilw Dzielski hadn't met Pierzchala in person, he said he's heard from his family and friends and stories shared in the media that the young officer was a "spectacular person, one that aimed high and achieved his goals."
"Today, we mourn. We stand together with the Pierzchla family and their friends," Dzielski said.
"At the same time, we cherish the memory of Grzegorz Pierzchala's life. His qualities provide and will continue to provide an example all of us. He died while serving others. He died as a hero. Glory to the heroes."
Earlier Wednesday morning, thousands of police officers along with members of the public stood shoulder to shoulder as a cortege for Pierzchala travelled from Adams Funeral Home to a local arena for his funeral service. It was a sombre, moving time as heavy rain fell and mourners observed a few moments of quiet reverence for the late police officer, whose flag-draped casket was then slowly carried into Barrie’s Sadlon Arena by 10 pallbearers.
Pierzchala’s family and friends along with members of the OPP, the Canadian Armed Forces, and other police and emergency services and officials attended his private funeral service, which was livestreamed on the OPP’s social media platforms, including YouTube.
People in Haldimand County also gathered for an in-person broadcast at the Caledonia Lions Community Centre.
The visitation and internment for Pierzchala were also not open to the public.
Pierzchala is one of five Ontario police officers killed in the line of duty in 2022.
The other four include constables Andrew Hong, Travis Gillespie, Devon Northrup, and Morgan Russell.
Hong, of the Toronto Police Service, was fatally shot in at a Mississauga Tim Horton’s during a multi-city rampage on Sept. 12. Milton auto shop owners Shakeel Ashraf and international exchange student Satwinder Singh were also killed in the shooting spree.
Gillespie, a member of York Regional Police, died after being struck by an alleged impaired driver on Sept. 14 while on the way to work in Markham.
South Simcoe police constables Northrup and Russell were fatally shot on Oct. 11 during a disturbance call at a home in Innisfil. A joint funeral service for Northrup and Russel was also held at Barrie's Sadlon Arena on Oct. 20.
