Virtual ceremony pays tribute to fallen officer
Windsor police Const. John Atkinson was murdered in line of duty 14 years ago
Windsor police marked the 14th anniversary of Const. John Atkinson’s murder virtually this year with a commemorative video.
Posted to the service’s various social media platforms on Tuesday, the video shows three members of the Windsor Police Service honour guard inside police headquarters saluting a memorial to the only officer murdered in the force’s history.
“He paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting his community,” Windsor police wrote in the post accompanying the video. “His duty was to serve. Our duty is to remember.”
Atkinson, 37 and a 14-year law enforcement veteran, was shot in the face and died on a sidewalk on May 5, 2006, after approaching two alleged drug dealers in a convenience store parking lot. A manhunt involving witnesses to the east-end shooting — one of whom tracked an armed suspect fleeing on foot — led to the arrests of two 18-year-old men within an hour.
More than 5,000 people attended his funeral at St. Dennis Centre. Police officers from other jurisdictions travelled to Windsor to patrol the city so local officers could attend.
“We thank him for his service, remember his story and honour his legacy,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, also in posts to his Facebook and Twitter pages.
Atkinson left behind his wife and two children, who were age seven and nine when he died.
The Herb Gray Parkway tunnel next to St. Clair College was named in Atkinson’s honour, as was a community centre in the east end neighbourhood where he and his family lived.
“John Atkinson was not only a police officer, he was a beloved father, husband and son,” wrote Windsor police Supt. Brendan Dodd on Twitter. “He made the ultimate sacrifice for our community. Please pause to remember him.”