Toronto Police Union president John Reid told CBC News that he and Police Chief James Ramer have delivered the sad news to the family of Const. Andrew Hong. “Probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Reid told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning on Tuesday. “I think all police officers know [when] they put on their uniform in the morning, they go to work — in the back of their mind there’s always that possibility that something could happen, they could get hurt, injured, possibly killed. But for it to actually happen, calling it tragic doesn’t even scratch the surface.” The 48-year-old is survived by his wife, Jenny, two teenage children, a boy and a girl, and his parents. A statement from Hong’s family pic.twitter.com/wZlcrnZyIW —@TPAca His family said they are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. “Andrew was magnetic. He was a man of steel on the outside with a warm teddy bear personality on the inside. His personality was larger than life,” the family said in a statement. “He loved his police family and was so proud to be part of the Toronto Police Service and especially loved being part of the Motor Unit. “He was a practical joker and got on well with everyone. His absence has left a gaping hole in the hearts of our family, the Police family and everyone who knew and loved Andrew.” Hong’s family is asking for privacy at this time. Police line up in a procession, showing their respects, as the body of Toronto Constable Andrew Hong is taken from the scene in Mississauga where he was shot and killed this afternoon pic. twitter.com/u5CMVhPkLG —@CBCLorenda Ramer said Hong — who was a 22-year veteran of the traffic services division — was an outstanding member of the service and an outstanding person. “It’s very hard. Andrew was such a lovable guy,” Ramer said Tuesday morning. “I think just the sudden tragic circumstances — it’s hard to understand.” Peel police are coordinating a multi-jurisdictional investigation into Hong’s death as well as another person who was killed and three others injured in a series of shootings Monday in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area. WATCHES | The police chief remembers Hong:
Murdered Toronto police officer was a ‘wonderful person’, chief says
The artillery death of Const. Andrew Hong has had an “incredible impact” and many of his colleagues are “upset” by his death, said Toronto Police Chief James Ramer. The manhunt for the suspect ended about two hours after the first of two reported shootings, when Ontario police said officers shot the man, who had been spotted at a Hamilton cemetery. The Special Investigations Unit says its investigation will focus in part on the cemetery and four police officers involved in the incident. They say they notified the alleged suspect’s next of kin last night and are awaiting an autopsy. They have assigned seven investigators and two coroners to the case. Members of the public have left flowers on set in Mississauga. (Clara Pasieka/CBC)
Family ‘devastated’, police union president says
Reid told CBC News that Hong was a very skilled motorcycle rider and was hosting an instructor training the day he was killed. Hong was “very nice to his colleagues” and “a consummate professional,” she said, adding that his family is “devastated. “Very good family man, obviously loved by his family,” he said. In a tweet, Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said Hong was a close personal friend. Pegg called him “An officer, a gentleman and an incredible man. “You will never be forgotten,” said Peg. On behalf of each of its members #heroesinlife —@ChiefPeggTFS
Community members pay tribute
A steady stream of community members visited the site on Tuesday to lay flowers and pay their respects. Tina Baldasi lives nearby and brought a small planter of yellow chrysanthemums. “I felt compelled to come to first of all respect and express my condolences and sympathies to his family and to the police department, the Toronto Police Department, of course, primarily, but also the Peel Department,” he said. Toronto Mayor John Tory called the incident an “equine tragedy” on Tuesday morning. “These are all tragedies when you lose a police officer — but this is so senseless,” he said. “I am so overwhelmed with grief for the family.” Hong, a 22-year police veteran, is seen here in a graduation photo from the Ontario Police College. (Toronto Police Service) A scheduled meeting Tuesday of the Toronto Police Services Board began with top officials observing a moment of silence for Hong. In a statement, the board said Hong was “an extremely kind and positive person, kind and loving, funny and warm, who loved his family and did his job with great dedication and great professionalism. “Our hearts and thoughts are with PC Hong’s family, his wife, son, daughter and parents, along with members of the Toronto Police Service, as we mourn his senseless and tragic death and honor ultimate sacrifice he has made, serving a city he loved.”
