A York Regional Police (YRP) officer killed in a collision in Markham on Wednesday is being remembered as a “phenomenal man” who was “proud” to serve his community.
YRP said 38-year-old Const. Travis Gillespie was driving in the Major Mackenzie Drive East and Warden Avenue area at around 6 a.m. when the collision occurred.
In a statement, YRP said Gillespie was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the other vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
YRP Supt. Thai Truong said Gillespie’s fellow officers are “devastated.”
“The whole policing community is devastated,” he told Global News. “Travis’ family is devastated, everyone’s pretty broken at this point.”
Truong said Gillespie was “very proud to be a police office,” adding that his “dedication to the community went far beyond our region.”
In a statement on Wednesday, YRP said Gillespie was sworn in as a constable on April 29, 2020.
Before joining York Regional Police, he worked as a constable for Metrolinx/GO Transit and volunteered with the Community Living and Primal MMA Academy.
In a tweet, YRP Chief Jim MacSween said Gillespie was on his way to work when the collision occurred.
“He is survived by his parents, loved ones and colleagues,” MacSween said. “This unexpected loss is devastating for all members of our organization.”
Truong told Global News Gillespie was also a “family man.”
“He’s got six nieces and nephews, and his family is very, very close,” he said.
He said it is “evident” that Gillespie was a “phenomenal uncle.”
“The family wanted me to share a story about Travis and how he did anything for the kids, and specific stories about allowing the kids to draw on his face and do whatever they wanted to him – he just wanted to put a smile on everyone’s face.”
Truong said his heart goes out to Gillespie’s platoon who worked with him “every single day.”
“Everyone is hurting from York Regional Police and the support that we’ve been given from law enforcement aross the country and the GTA — his family are very grateul,” he continued. “It’s going to take some time, it’s been a rough week for everyone in policing.”
The news of Gillespie’s death comes just days after a Toronto police officer – Const. Andrew Hong – was killed in a shooting in Mississauga.
Condolences pour in
In a tweet Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared his condolences, saying he was “gutted” by the news of Gillespie’s passing.
“I’m gutted by the news of the tragic death of another police officer in our province,” Ford said in a tweet. “My thoughts are with the loved ones of Constable Travis Gillespie and the entire @YRP family as they mourn the loss of their beloved colleague.”
Bill Grodzinski, a retired chief special constable with Metrolinx told Global News that Gillespie “would have been the son I wish I’d had.”
“He was that good,” he said.
Grodzinski said he met Gillespie in 2012 when he went to work for Metrolinx.
“Travis struck me, you know, right from day one, as the most positive, optimistic heart,” he said. “He had it all, he was smart, he was engaging, he was always one of those people – you never saw him down.”
Grodzinski said he’s “in a state of disbelief” that Gillespie has died.
“A young person like Travis is the future of policing, he’s the future of all of us in Ontario, and I can’t say what a devastating loss it is for our community, for our province, for the York Regional Police because he had so much potential.”
Grodzinski said Gillespie was not just a colleague, but also a friend.
“He was so warm and so, so kind,” he said. “He just was an exceptional human being and he’s going to be missed terribly.”
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, YRP Const. Maniva Armstrong said Gillespie was “very well liked” by his colleagues, peers and supervisors.
“He was a hard worker,” she said. “He’s somebody that at 38-years-old changed his career to serve and protect the members of his community.”
Armstrong said losing two members of the police community in the past few days has been “heartbreaking.”
“It just reminds all of us that at any time, whether we are in uniform or outside of our uniform that tragic events can take place in our life,” she said.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti called it a “devastating day” in the city.
“We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of Constable Travis Gillespie, I extend condolences to his family, all members of @YRP especially his colleagues at District 5,” he wrote on Twitter. “The lowered flags at the Civic Centre will also be in memory of Travis.”
In a statement posted to Twitter Wednesday, Toronto police said it extends its “deepest sympathies” to YRP “on the loss of Police Constable Travis Gillespie.”
“It has been a devastating week for our policing family,” the statement read. “We mourn alongside our friends and colleagues for our brave officers, both taken far too soon.”
York Regional Police Association vice president Mike Buchanan said the “tragic passing and unexpected loss” of Gillespie is “being felt by us all.”
“We have lost a dear friend and valued member of York Regional Police and York Regional Police Association,” Buchanan said.
He said this news is “difficult for us to take.”
“As we are still mourning the murder of Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong, and the events which unfolded on Monday. Our policing families are hurting, and we are all feeling the pain and significant loss of these two fallen officers,” Buchanan continued.
In a tweet, GO Transit said the entire Metrolinx family is mourning the death of Gillespie.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues, past and present,” the statement read.
Toronto’s mayor John Tory also offered his condolences in a tweet Wednesday.
“On behalf of all Toronto residents, I’m extending condolences to the family and friends of Const. Travis Gillespie, all his colleagues at @YRP and in the policing community,” he wrote. “We join York Region in mouring this terrible loss as we continue to mourn @TorontoPolice Const. Andrew Hong.”
-with a file from Global News’ Ryan Rocca
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