THE WALL

THE WALL OF HONOUR

The commitment to serve and protect, and their supreme sacrifice for the safety and security of the Town of Cobourg, will never be forgotten.

The Cobourg Police Service honoured the heroic efforts made by two officers who died while serving with the Cobourg Police Service, on June 28, at 10 a.m., as we unveiled a Wall of Honour and dedicated two rooms to each officer in their memory.

The board room was dedicated in honour of Constable William Rourke, who died in 1915 while in the midst of bringing someone into custody. He served 22 years with the Cobourg Police Service.

The training room was dedicated in honour of Constable Chris Garrett, who tragically died in 2004. His sacrifice is acknowledged to have prevented the taking of many other lives in the following hours.

The Wall of Honour was in development for over a year, and the efforts of these officers is presented so the public can pay their respects.

What came as a surprise to everyone was the discovery of a living family member of Constable William Rourke, who died in 1915. Thanks to the efforts of retired Deputy Chief David Cromlish, cop-op students with the Cobourg Police Service and of course today’s technology, they were able to track down Lori Pelitera and her sister Lisa Simmons, both Constable Rourke’s great great granddaughters.

Family members of both Constable Rourke and Constable Garrett attended the ceremony.