'The ultimate sacrifice:' Thousands gather to remember fallen OPP officer
Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Eric Mueller was a gentle giant, beloved mentor and exemplary police officer, those who know him said. But above all, he was a dedicated and loving family man.
Mueller's family and friends, dignitaries and thousands of police officers gathered at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday to remember Sgt. Mueller, who was shot and killed in the line of duty last week.
"Above all, Eric lived to protect those he cared for the most. And although the manner of it was so senseless, we try to take solace in knowing he died doing what he loved," said Chris Wood, Mueller's brother-in-law, who spoke on behalf of his family.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Mueller, 42, was killed in the line of duty one week ago when responding to a disturbance call in Bourget, Ont., east of Ottawa. Two other officers were injured, one of whom remains in hospital.
Mueller is survived by his wife and two young children, a 21-month-old daughter and eight-month-old son.
"Eric made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, on our province's behalf and we will be forever grateful," Premier Doug Ford said.
"While Eric's death was so tragic, so unfair, I pray that his legacy of courage, dedication and selflessness will live on in his children."
Ford added that attacks against police officers "will never, ever be tolerated in this province.
"As premier, I will do whatever it takes to protect you and the communities you serve."
Mueller joined the OPP in 2002 as a special constable responsible for transporting offenders in Ottawa. He was officially hired as a recruit in 2006 and was promoted to sergeant 2018.
He was recognized for his bravery in 2015 with the Commissioner's Citation for Lifesaving after helping to lift a burning vehicle to rescue an injured suspect.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell also spoke at the service.
"We are here to uphold his memory. We are here for one another, especially for Eric's fellow officers who are still recovering, and most of all for his loving family," Dowdeswell said. "Ontarians mourn alongside you."Police officers marching outside the Canadian Tire Centre before Sgt. Eric Mueller's funeral. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)
'HE PUT PEOPLE FIRST'
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Mueller brought out the best in everyone he worked with.
"He put people first: their safely, their well-being and their development, with a special gift to communicate and make meaningful connections," he said. "Eric's legacy will stand the test of time as an inspiration for all of us to challenge ourselves to do and be better," he said.
Carrique also decried the recent spate of violence against police officers in Canada.Mueller is the 10th police officer to be killed on the job in Canada since September 2022, and the fifth to be fatally shot in Ontario during the same time period.
"We need to ask ourselves: if our police officers, the very ones we rely upon for our safety and security, are not safe, then who is?" Carrique said,
"This pattern of violence being perpetrated against the police is not my glorious and free Canada."
PROCESSION FROM ROCKLAND
A procession carrying Sgt. Mueller's body arrived at the Canadian Tire Centre just before 10 a.m. after departing from a Rockland, Ont. funeral home earlier Thursday morning.
The funeral procession left Rockland around 8:45 a.m. and travelled westbound on Highway 17 to Hwy. 174, then continued westbound on Highway 417.
Thousands of police officers from services across the country marched past the Canadian Tire Centre in a solemn parade to mark Mueller's service and sacrifice.
The sound of ceremonial bagpipes was drowned out by the helicopters overhead as the funeral procession carrying Mueller's casket passed by officers standing in salute.
Thousands of police officers from across the country are attending the funeral, OPP spokesman Bill Dickson told CTV News on Thursday morning.
"Most of them may never have heard of Eric Mueller before, and it's sad that this is why they hear of him," he said. "I think every police officer can look at what happened to Eric and say 'This could have been me.'"
"For Eric's widow and his other family, this shows that he means something to so many," Dickson said. "For fellow officers who worked with him at Russell County detachment, to bring so many people together shows that support, that bond."
Alain Bellefeuille, 39, is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Mueller and two counts of attempted murder. He appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is due to appear again on June 13.
- with files from Natalie van Rooy, CTV News Ottawa and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.