OTTAWA – Family members, public officials and fellow officers eulogized on Thursday fallen Ottawa police Const. Ireneusz "Eric" Czapnik as a hero whose passing in the line of duty last week caused people to pause all across the country.
"I stand before you today so extremely proud and so very humbled, heartbroken and amazed at the sheer magnitude of outpouring my family has received from the entire world," said Czapnik’s stepson, Luckasz Galaska. He praised Czapnik for doing "the work of the unselfish, he devoted himself to others and had walked the ever so narrow path of righteousness regardless of how hard at times it may have been. That’s what made him a hero."
"This is the kind of man I want to be."
"You raised the bar for us," Galaska said in conclusion, drawing applause and a standing ovation from some in attendance.
"We will always remember Eric, we’ll think of him when we see police officers racing to a dangerous scene, we’ll think of him when we hear about police putting their safety on the line to keep us safe," said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty earlier, as the funeral service for Czapnik – who was stabbed to death while on duty on Dec. 29 – got underway.
"We will remember our hero."
He offered his condolences to members of the officer’s family, sitting in the audience.
"When he was away from your family he was protecting our family," the premier said. "On behalf of millions I am here to show you we are thinking of your and praying for you, I’m here to tell you how deeply sorry we are for your loss.
Speaking after McGuinty, Ottawa Police Chief Vern White said: "Eric knew he stood on the right side of the law."
At a time when most people are entering the sunset of their careers, Czapnik was beginning his, White said of Czapnik, who was 48 when he joined the force three years ago.
He was the oldest recruit ever for the Ottawa police, White said, and was accepted at that age because he wanted to do the job so badly.
White read from a letter from two children, Sophie and Grace, addressed to Czapnik’s children: "Your daddy will always be a hero."
Czapnik saw the best and worst of society in his job, White said.
"Thank you for watching over your community, our community."
White noted Czapnik was known as "Pickles" because of his favourite food.
Const. Troy Froates, Czapnik’s friend, said the nickname could be heard even over the police radio, "Pickles, are you there" the dispatcher would say, he said.
"You could count on Pickles to be your side, always," Froates said.
"Eric has served us faithfully and well and has touched many lives. We are all deeply saddened by his death," said Insp. John Copeland of Ottawa Police Service, who provided the official welcome.
Before the service began an orchestra played to a packed arena, while a large screen installed over the main stage showed Czapnik’s image.
His flag-draped casket was carried from the hearse to the main stage by fellow officers along a red carpet to the beat of drums in the otherwise silent arena.
Earlier people lined the streets of the capital as thousands of police officers from across Canada and the U.S. took part in the funeral procession for the first Ottawa police officer to be killed in the line of duty since 1983.
Officers marched to the sound of a single drum beating.
The procession was otherwise quiet and solemn as it made its way from Carleton University to Lansdowne Park.
Czapnik was stabbed to death as he completed paperwork in his cruiser outside an Ottawa hospital.
Czapnik’s widow, Anna, his four children and extended family who have flown in from Poland were to attend the service.
A trust fund has been set up for Czapnik’s children. Donations can be made at all Scotiabank branches to account No. 400060117811, in trust.
The Czapnik family has requested donations to the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation (OPMF No. 868 395575 RR0001) in lieu of flowers.
Kevin Gregson, a suspended RCMP constable, has been accused of first-degree murder in connection with Czapnik’s death.
Afterwards, a private interment for Czapnik was to be held at Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery.
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