Parade rerouted

A visit from the Anglican archbishop had the annual police memorial parade reroute its march to Wesley United Church on Sunday.

Police and peace officers from various organizations including the RCMP, Thunder Bay Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service participated in the annual Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial day parade.

The parade took an alternate route from previous years, and headed down Donald Street, then onto Brodie Street where the officers entered Wesley United Church.

Traditionally, the parade would go down Arthur Street and make its way to St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street for a memorial service. This year, the parade coincided on the same day that Archbishop Fred Hiltz planned to visit the church.

Chief of Thunder Bay Police Service Bob Herman said they wanted to hold the memorial service at St. Paul’s ; however , they had to change those plans.

"Unfortunately, there is a big Anglican conference in town this weekend, which made it difficult to go to the same church," Herman said. "We’re going to a different church this year but it’s not because we didn’t want to go to the same church that we went to in the past. The parish at Wesley United was quite good in coming forward and having our memorial service there."

Rev. Deborah Kraft, rector for St. Paul’s Anglican Church, said with the archbishop’s visit, they couldn’t hold both sermons on the same day no matter how much they wanted to.

"We wanted to fit it in so much, I love that service," Kraft said. "This is the day that our national leader is here and to have the national leader of the Anglican Church here is huge."

She said they had already booked to host the police memorial service for next year.

This year also marked the first time that Rev. Michael Dunnill, the Thunder Bay Police Service chaplain, would not lead the memorial service.

Dunnill passed away on May 8.

Herman said Dunnill, who helped start the annual march, thought it was important that northwestern Ontario hold an event for fallen officers and added he would have been proud that they were continuing the tradition despite not being at the same church.

"It’s the first service that we’re going to have without Father Dunnill leading us in prayer and in remembrance," he said. "Everyday a law enforcement officer or a police officer puts their uniform on and goes out they are facing risk. That inherit risk is there everyday and our main goal is for every officer to go home from work."

The memorial parade also gave remembrance to Const. John Kusznier who was shot and killed in the line of duty outside of the Landmark Inn on Jan. 15, 1978.

Sgt. Max Kusznier, with the Thunder Bay Youth Corps, participated in the colour party holding the youth corps’ flag. The 17-year-old joined the youth corps about five years ago and said his grandfather played a large role in his decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Kusznier said he remembered his grandfather was involved in the community and coached in minor hockey and was a role model to look up to.

"The parade is a terrific way of showing the nation that we will remember the fallen police officers," Kusznier said. "My Grandfather was the only police officer in Thunder Bay who actually died in the line of duty. It’s a good way to respect and remember the sacrifice they gave to keep the country and the community safe."