Windsor911.com
It is an honour to
have known and worked with a real hero. A man who served our
community with pride, dedication and a commitment to serve and
protect the public. A man who was a devoted husband and father of
two children. John paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was fatally
shot and killed while on duty on May 5th, 2006.
John would have been very proud of how his community came together
over the past few days to support his family, the Windsor Police
Service and each other. John died doing what he loved doing.
John had exceptional courage. John is a hero.
Rest in peace brother John.
A Fundraising Event To Benefit the Families of Constable John
Atkinson and Constable Troy Klyn
June 11th 2005 (rain date, June 25th)
Precision Car Care and The DRIVE Magazine will be hosting a car wash
between the hours of 8am and 6pm ay Precision Car Care, 1451 Lauzon
Road, Windsor. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to the
Atkinson and Klyn families.
MAY 9th, 2006
Vigil For John.
An estimated 4500 people attended a vigil for John Atkinson this
evening along Windsor's riverfront.
Here is a recording of the service with speeches and prayers by
Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, Windsor Police Chief Glenn Stannard and
Father Richard Cartier.:
http://www.windsor911.com/VigilforJohn.mp3
(large file: 27,601 KB, 29.5 minutes)
MAY 9th,
2006
Funeral Arrangements for
Constable John Atkinson
Police officers from across Canada and the United States are
arriving in Windsor for the funeral of Constable John Atkinson on
Thursday, May 11, 2006. Constable Atkinson was fatally shot in the
course of his duties last Friday, leaving behind a wife and two
small children.
The schedule of events is as follows:
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
-
the funeral service will begin, attended by
family, friends, visiting police officers and dignitaries.
-
Seating in the St. Denis Centre will be limited.
-
Visitors and residents are welcome to pay their
respects by lining the funeral procession route: Tecumseh Road
between Crawford Avenue and Ouellette Avenue, south on Ouellette
Avenue to Dougall Avenue to Howard Avenue to Heavenly Rest
Cemetery.
-
Visiting police will form an honour guard at the
St. Denis Centre and along College Avenue.
1:30 p.m. (approximately)
-
Police officers will form an honour guard on
College Avenue from the St. Denis Centre east to Crawford Avenue
and south towards Tecumseh Road.
-
Windsor Police will march through the honour guard
following the casket and the Atkinson family.
3:00 p.m.(approximately)
-
The procession continues to Heavenly Rest Cemetery
-
Members of the public wishing to pay their
respects may do so by standing on either side of the road behind
the honour guard, or by lining the street along Tecumseh Road
between Crawford Avenue and Ouellette Avenue and along Ouellette
Avenue and Dougall Avenue to Howard Avenue and Heavenly Rest
Cemetery.
Street Closures
MAY 6th, 2006
Officer Slain Investigation Update:
On May 5th, 2006, at 2:07 p.m., Constable John Atkinson, a 14-year
veteran of the Windsor Police Service, was at a convenience store
located at Seminole Street and Pillette Road, when his attention was
drawn towards two individuals in the parking lot. He was on duty at
the time and was in plain clothes. Constable Atkinson approached
the two males to investigate. A firearm was produced and Constable
Atkinson was shot. Constable Atkinson, who was fatally wounded, was
able to return fire. Both suspects fled the scene.
All available police officers were to dispatched to
the scene. With the assistance of citizens, two suspects were
apprehended. At 2:20 p.m., one suspect was arrested in the area of
Alice Street and Tourangeau Road. At 2:39 p.m., the second suspect
was arrested in the 1800 block of Ontario Street. The handgun
believed to have been used in the offence, has also been recovered.
The suspects were arraigned today and have been
remanded into custody.
Charged are: Nikkolas Robert Brennan, 18, of
Windsor, charged with 1st Degree Murder, Possession of a Narcotic
for the Purpose of Trafficking and Use Firearm in the Commission of
an Offence.
Coty Clifford Defausses, 18 years old, of
Windsor, charged with 1st Degree Murder and Possession of a Narcotic
for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Investigators believe that the suspects are the only
two people involved in the offence. It is believed that Constable
Atkinson approached them because of their criminal drug activity in
the parking lot. Both suspects were in possession of suspected
crack cocaine at the time of their arrest. Investigators are
appealing to the public or anyone who was in the area at the time of
the offence, or may have information regarding this incident, to
contact the Criminal Investigation Division.
Investigators are seeking a female witness who was
in the Mac's Milk store and left just prior to the shooting. She is
described as a white, female, early 20's, brown hair, wearing a blue
short-sleeve shirt with black and white trim.
Investigators are also interested in speaking to
anyone who may have had contact with the suspects in the weeks
previous to the incident.
Anyone having information is asked to call the
Criminal Investigation Division at 255-6700 ext. 4830 or Crime
Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477)
Senior Constable John Atkinson
Senior Constable John Atkinson is 37 years old. He
is a 14- year veteran of the Windsor Police Service and was hired in
December of 1991. He has worked in Patrol Services and was
currently assigned to Investigation Services, seconded to the
Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section, (PATS) PATS is comprised of
members from municipal, provincial and federal agencies, with a
mandate to proactively address terrorism in Ontario.
Over his 14 year career he has received over 35
letters of recognition for a job well done and letters of
appreciation from the public. He has received 6 Divisional
Commendations for his initiative, dedication to duty and excellence
in police work.
John is survived by his wife Shelley and two
children, his daughter Nicole, who turned seven years old today, and
his son Mitchell, who is nine years old.
MAY 5th, 2006
Windsor Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty
It is with deep regret that we confirm that an on-duty Windsor
Police officer, 37-year-old- John Atkinson, has been killed in the
line of duty. At 2:05 p.m., Senior Constable John Atkinson has
occasion to be in the area of Pillette Road and Seminole Street and
apparently saw some suspicious men. He approached the individuals
and during this time a firearm was produced and the officer was
shot. Although struck by a bullet he was able to return fire. Two
suspects were seeing fleeing the area on foot after the shooting,
leaving the officer lying on the sidewalk. It is possible that when
the suspects were fleeing, they discarded some items such as
clothing. The first suspect was described as white, male, in his
teens wearing a black t-shirt. The second suspect was described as
white, male, in his teens, wearing a white, t-shirt and shorts.
Investigators are interested in information of anyone matching these
descriptions, in the area before or after the incident, or anyone
who may have had contact with them.
An immediate search of the area has resulted in the
arrest of two, 18 year old Windsor men. A firearm has been
recovered but it is unknown if it was the weapon used in the
shooting. An intense investigation is ongoing with Inspector Greg
Renaud heading a team of five Staff Sergeants and a large compliment
of Detectives and investigators. While some evidence has been
recovered in the area of the search, canvassing of the area is
expected to continue for some time.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked
to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 255-6700 ext. 4830
or Crime Stoppers.
Senior Constable John Atkinson, is a 14 year veteran
of the force and was currently assigned to the Provincial Anti
Terrorism Section. He is married and has a 6 year old daughter and
9 year old son. This is the first time in the history of the
Windsor Police Service that an officer has been murdered in the line
of duty.
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