On December 27, 2022 OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique announced that “It is with an extremely heavy heart that I regretfully advise that OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala was killed today while courageously serving in the line of duty. Our hearts are with his loved ones and all OPP members at this tragic time.”
As a child Grzegorz Pierzchala was a member of ‘Mali Harnasie‘, a song and dance troupe practicing the traditions of our Polish Highlander culture. The Polish Highlander “Gorale” community around the world feels this sorrow and extends deep sympathies to the family, friends and individuals who are affected by this.
‘Greg’ will be remembered by many as a competitive wrestler, all round athlete competing in swimming, soccer, track and field and rowing. He was a “beautiful soul” who “approached his life with incredible determination, compassion and joy. It is not surprising that he followed a career path of service to others“.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique shared that early Wednesday morning, a large gathering of OPP and other police officers, first responders and community members stood together in solidarity as Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala made his way from West Haldimand Hospital to the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario in Toronto. “The show of support that has been offered by our policing community and first responders across the country has been overwhelming. On behalf of the OPP, we thank you.”
On December 28th the CN Tower was dimed for five minutes at the top of each hour in memory of OPP Provincial Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala. As communities begin to mourn in Ontario, and the Podhale region of Bialy Dunajec in Poland, we ask our extended community to say a prayer and help in honoring his memory by sharing photos or stories in either English or Polish. We hope to create a dedicate In Memorium page and take solace in the many ways he touched peoples hearts. Please scroll down to view expressions of sympathies, photos and stories, messages can be emailed to Azagorska2016@gmail.com or you may connect via Facebook Messenger.
For our Polish community:„Nie umiera ten, kto trwa w pamięci żywych” Wiele osób oferuje wsparcie i chce w jakiś sposób zapamiętać życie Grzesia. Dlatego zrobimy ku jego pamięci pamiętnik ze zdjęciami i wspomnieniami wszystkich, którzy go znali i chcą aby na zawsze został w naszej pamięci i w naszych sercach. Prosimy wszystkich, którzy pragną podzielić się pięknymi wspomnieniami o Grzesiu, aby wysłali do nas kilka słów i zdjęcia i my będziemy je dodawać na bierząco. Będzie to w wersji polskiej i angielskiej. Z góry wszystkim dziękujemy. Można wysyłać informacje na e-mail azagorska2016@gmail.com lub via messenger.
PROCESSION & FUNERAL VIEWING: A procession for OPP Const. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala, who was killed in the line of duty Dec. 27, ended in Barrie on Friday (Dec. 30). The OPP announced Dec. 29 that the procession would depart from the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto at 9 a.m. and travel northbound on Highway 400 to Barrie. The OPP will livestreamed the event on multiple platforms including Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.
Funeral Procession coverage can be viewed here: Youtube/cp24
Funeral can be viewed here: Youtube/Goniec, Youtube/Goniectv
The Mass can be viewed here: Facebook, Youtube/Goniec
Expressions of Sympathy
“We express our deepest condolences to the parents, siblings, the whole family and loved ones.
Rest in peace.” – Agnieszka Zagorska, President, Polish Highlanders Association of Canada
“27 grudnia br. w trakcie pełnienia służby zginął oficer Grzegorz Pierzchała z Ontario Provincial Police – West Region. Pan Grzegorz był wyjątkową osobą, cieszącą się ogromną sympatią i szacunkiem. Ambasador RP w Ottawie Pan Witold Dzielski oraz Konsul Generalna w Toronto Magdalena Pszczółkowska składają rodzinie, bliskim i przyjaciołom najszczersze kondolencje.” – The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Ottawa, Mr. Witold Dzielski, and the Consul General in Toronto, Magdalena Pszczółkowska
“Heartbreaking news from Haldimand County, where Ontario Provincial Police Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala has been killed in the line of duty. To his family, friends, and colleagues — the thoughts of all Canadians are with you”. – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“I am horrified by the killing of an on-duty OPP officer. Thank you to the officers who apprehended the suspects without incident. Our first responders are true heroes. We share in the pain felt by family, friends and the entire police community as Ontario mourns this loss”. – Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
“We are all shocked and saddened by the tragic death of OPP Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala near Hagersville today. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, colleagues, friends, and community”. – John Tory, Toronto Mayor
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath also expressed condolences. “Our hearts are broken over the loss of OPP Constable Grzegorz Pierzchala. On behalf of Hamiltonians and Council, I send our deepest condolences to all his loved ones and colleagues at the OPP.”
Mark Hill, elected chief of Six Nations of the Grand River, said he’s spoken to Stacey Laforme, the Gimaa (Chief) of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and offered any services the community might need at this time.”I was heartbroken to hear of this tragic incident as a result of a senseless act of violence, and of a young life taken so soon in the line of duty,” Hill said in a statement. I am sending my sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Officer Pierzchala’s loved ones and the entire OPP family for this immense loss.”
In Loving Memory – “The one who lives in our memories, never dies”
“Grzesiu thrived in the outdoors. There was no mountain he couldn’t climb, no rock he couldn’t move, no river or lake that would get in his way. A heart of pure gold. The kindest and most genuine man.” – Dorothy
“Grzesiu, nasz kochany anioł stróż. Zawsze uśmiechnięty, zawsze szczęśliwy, zadowolony z życia, wdzięczny, pełen planów i marzeń serce nam pękło, bo straciliśmy człowieka który zarażał uśmiechem wszystkich ludzi w okół. Był inspiracją dla wielu ludzi z naszej rodziny i nie tylko, dawał cenne porady, martwił się o każdego. Dla każdego był życzliwy, nieba by uchylił wszystkim ludziom, ciekawy świata. Rozmowa z nim to była ogromna przyjemność, ciekawy, dopytywał, interesował się nami.. składam najserdeczniejsze kondolencje mojej kochanej rodzinie, Wujkowi Jaśkowi, Cioci Jance, oraz jego ukochanemu rodzeństwu – Krzysiu, Michał, Justysia
Zawsze będziemy pamiętać, zawsze będziemy tęsknić, zawsze będziemy kochać. RIP GRZESIU” – Hania Pierzchała
“Greg had the kindest soul , every time I saw him he had the biggest smile , and loved to chat , he wanted the best for everybody and overall was just a great human being and he will be greatly missed.” – Maciek
“Pozostanie na zawsze w naszej pamięci! Bohater broniący ludzi, człowiek o wielkim sercu, których dzisiaj jest coraz mniej. Grzesiu #herosinlife ” – Marcin Pierzchała
“From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt Condolences. Grzesiu was a special person. Driven by the ambition to help all members of his community. He worked hard and never complained. Lived life with a smile on his face. Michelle and I had the privilege of reconnecting with him and are thankful for the great memories we shared with him. Rest in Peace. We lost a great man.” – Kuba & Michelle
“he will always be remembered for his big heart, the kindest person we have ever known. RIP hero” – Natalia & Marcin
“There is a void in all of our hearts with the passing of Greg. He was the kindest, most genuine, and sincerest person. I feel truly blessed to have had him in my life; from childhood memories, family gatherings, to most recently celebrating my wedding, I will always remember and cherish every moment I had with him. Greg truly had a heart of gold. His heroism and dedication to his life long passion of being a police officer will always be remembered. He served the people of his community and his country with pride. It is truly a tremendous loss for all of us. We will always rememeber you Grzesiu, may you rest in peace.” – Asia & Patrick
“Jeśli znałeś Grzegorza, wiedziałeś, że był bardzo serdeczną osobą. Zawsze pełen życia, zawsze uśmiechnięty. Zawsze gotowy i otwarty na rozmowę z każdym. Jako członek zespołu Mali Harnasie był energiczny i dumny naszej kultury. Będzie go nam bardzo brakowało. Zespół Góralski Harnasie wraz z rodzinami przekazuje wyrazy głębokich współczuć dla całej rodziny. Niech spoczywa w pokoju.”
Oszukał nas los
Ta podłużna zła karta
Twoja Grzesiu niewinność
Tak łapczywie nam wydarta
Lodowaty dotyk śmierci
Zabrał nam twą dusze
I nie dał tobie szansy zostawił nam smutek, płacz, żal i katusze
Nieopanowany bòl przeszywa to rozstanie
I na zawsze w sercach naszych pozostanie
From day one you have always had a captivating smile. Everything you have done or set out to do was with a passionate smile on your face. Your strong embrace, was always filled with so much love and compassion which we will never forget. We have lost one of the most inspirational human beings, a hero. “There are no goodbyes for us. Where ever you are, you will always be in our hearts”.
– Maciek, Sonia, Amanda & Sylvia Stoch
“Greg, You will always be remembered as someone with the biggest, most pure heart. You always had a smile on your face and you always put others before yourself. You were an inspiration to all of us, you were truly a hero. We love you & you will be forever in our hearts.” Love you, Pawel & Rosa
“Grzesiu, One of the most respected, driven and ambitious individuals you’d ever come across. His positive aura and contagious laugh could always mend a dull mood. Always lifting people’s spirits, by giving out compliments regularly yet humbly never accepting any himself. He had this desire to achieve great and moral things, which he did and was definitely on the path of continuing to do so. Extremely humble, always challenging himself and those around him. His inspiring words and accomplishments would easily spark self-reflection and a motivation to adopt the same attitude as Grześ had regarding life. Sincere, selfless, impressive, fearless, inspiring, and curious with a thirst for knowledge are just a few of the words that come to mind that describe Greg, and now to that list I add Heroic.
Rest easy cousin.” – Piotr Pierzchala
“Grzegorza nie znałam osobiście, ale jestem koleżanką, która niedawno przeszła na emeryturę, siostrą w kolorze niebieskim. Jestem naprawdę zasmucony, że jego życie zostało tak tragicznie odebrane. Brzmiał jak niesamowita osoba i policjant, już robiący wrażenie na życiu ludzi. Proszę przyjąć moje najszczersze wyrazy współczucia i wiedzieć, że nigdy nie zostanie zapomniany!.” – Christine (Krysia) Gioia, Retired OPP Sault Ste Marie
Sources: The Spec, CBC, CTV, Twitter, The Star, Twitter, OPPHSD, Twitter, Consulate, Gazeta Krakowska, Nowy Targ, Deon24, Zakopane, CP24, Goniec.
Polish Highlanders Association of Canada 
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