OPP constable's body brought to Thornhill ahead of funeral
Const. Tarun Bali, 29, was struck by a vehicle Tuesday in Hearst while officers searched for an escaped hospital patient. A procession carried his body west on Highway 401 Friday.
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The body of Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tarun Bali arrived in Thornhill Friday morning, five days after the 29-year-old was killed in the line of duty in Hearst, a northern town about 520 kilometres east of Thunder Bay.
Bali was struck by a vehicle Tuesday as fellow investigators searched for a man who had escaped from a hospital. The driver, 18-year-old Justin Veronneau of Hearst, now faces charges including first-degree murder, assaulting police, and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
A sombre police procession left the coroner's office in North York and headed west on Highway 401 to a funeral home in Thornhill. Lights flashing, the motorcade passed construction workers who removed their hats and bridges lined with saluting first responders.
OPP Sgt. Joe Brisebois, speaking during a livestream of the procession, said he got goosebumps watching the display of respect. "There's only respect, gratitude and unity," he said.
Bali had been with the OPP for two-and-a-half years and was assigned to the Dufferin detachment in central Ontario but was on deployment with the James Bay detachment when he was killed. He was from Brampton.
Hearst Mayor Roger Sigouin said the community is in shock. Bali's death marks the first time an officer has died in the line of duty in the town. Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said the outpouring of support has been remarkable, with community members even offering to pay for officers' meals.