Slain Toronto police officer Marc Pinizzotto mourned as dedicated father
Const. Pinizzotto, 43, was shot June 11 during a search warrant in North York. His mother urges public to support police.
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The mother of Toronto police Const. Marc Pinizzotto says losing her son is "the hardest thing in the world" and is urging residents to support the police.
Pinizzotto, 43, died June 11 after being shot in a fourth-floor apartment while executing a search warrant in the Black Creek and Trethewey Drive area. He had worked for Toronto police for 18 years as a member of its emergency task force and was first through the door.
His mother, Linda Pinizzotto, told CBC on Tuesday that Marc was a middle child, one of three boys in a close-knit family. Despite the dangers of police work, she supported his decision.
"He wanted to make a difference. He chose a life to make a difference," she said. "It is the hardest thing in the world to lose your son, or your daughter, or any family member for that matter."
Pinizzotto was a husband and father of two. His brothers — one who played professional hockey in Germany and one who played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks — were close to him in age. She described the house as chaotic when they were growing up, filled with the energy of three hockey-playing sons.
Marc was a "number one dad" to his children, she said. His family is now focused on supporting them through the loss.
"The stronger the support, it takes away a lot of the hardships of the reality of it," she said.