MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - More than 5,000 police officers and emergency personnel from across North America gathered in Mississauga, Tuesday, to bid a final farewell to one of their own.
It was a massive outpouring of emotion and a stunning display of strength in Mississauga's Hershey Centre where thousands packed in to remember Cst. Artem Ochakovsky, the first Peel police officer killed on duty in 25 years.
A police pipe band led the fallen officer's procession.
During the service Premier Dalton McGuinty spoke of the 36-year-old's heroism.
"They are the people our kids look up to and who help us when we're lost. They are the ones who keep us safe, protect the ones who we love," McGuinty said.
Meantime, Cst. Ochakovsky's widow, Erin, told the crowd her husband was her everything as she looked down at his coffin with their three-year-old son clutching her leg.
"James is the love of my life. I could not ask for more in a man. We saw passion in his eyes every time he looked at us."
She tearfully added "[...] babe I love you, I miss you already."
Sgt. Andrew Patchett, who was Cst. Ochakovsky's supervisor, said he had a strong moral compass.
"He wanted to make a difference. He made a difference to me, he made a difference to us."
Cst. Ochakovsky died last week when his marked cruiser hit another vehicle in Brampton and ended up wrapped around a light pole.
He had been on his way to assist another officer in a non-emergency situation at the time of the crash.
Cst. Ochakovsky lived in Barrie with his wife and toddler.