Ontarians by the hundreds paid their respects as Const. Marc Hovingh was brought home to rest on Nov. 23.
In community after community, Ontarians paid their respects as the escort travelled from Toronto to the officer's home on Manitoulin Island. They lined city streets and highway overpasses from Toronto to Manitoulin Island on Nov. 23, saluting, holding Canadian flags, standing solemnly with heads bowed.
Police and paramedics, lights flashing on their vehicles stood at attention. Firefighters in full gear stood with heads bowed and ladders extended. Public utlity workers along the route extended their buckets and hung Canadian flags high in the air.
When the escort passed through White River First Nation on Birch Island and through Little Current, community members lined the route, drumming and singing to show their respect for Hovingh's sacrifice.
The 28-year OPP member, who spent a large part of his childhood in Barrie, was fatally shot on Nov. 19 while responding to a property dispute near Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island. The civilian involved in the dispute, 60-year-old Gary Brohman, was also fatally shot in the incident.
Const. Hovingh was 52 years old and leaves behind four children and his wife Lianne. He was a 28-year veteran of the OPP.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, a spokesman for the OPP, livestreamed most of the procession on its journey from Toronto to Manitoulin Island, reflecting as he drove on what it means to be a police officer and the uncertainty that comes with the job.
Watch the video above to see all the people who turned out to salute Const. Hovingh as he made his way back home.
Welcome home, constable.
