THUNDER BAY - The only officer to be killed in the line of duty with the Thunder Bay Police Service will be remembered by fellow officers and family 40 years later.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is marking the 40th anniversary of the death of Const. John S. Kusznier on Monday, Jan. 15 with the release of a memorial video.
On Jan. 15, 1978, Kusznier and his partner responded to a disturbance in a parking lot of a local nightclub. Upon arriving, Kusznier and his partner encountered two men armed with handguns who opened fire on the two officers, with Kusznier suffering a fatal wound.
One of the gunmen involved in the shootout was also killed and another man accused was acquitted of the charges.
Kusznier left behind a wife and three sons.
“He was a family man, he was proud of his boys, he went camping, he went fishing, but when it came time for him to work, he became a different man and a well respected man, he wanted to be a protector of his community,” said Kusznier’s son Stephen in the memorial video released by police.
The Current River Bridge on Highway 11/17 was dedicated to honour the memory of Kusznier in 2010.
“Our officers are cognizant of the dangers of our job and there’s always that risk,” said Const. Greg Stephenson, president of the Thunder Bay Police Association.
“Our officers realize that 40 years ago one of our own went out on a shift and never returned home. That is our slogan, always be able to go home and for the Kusznier family that never happened and it’s a tragedy that still resonates today.”
