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On behalf of the entire Police1 team and all of U.S. law enforcement, we send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Constable Chris Garrett who, as you will read below, was brutally murdered in a shocking ambush this past weekend. Chris, 39, leaves a wife, Denise, and two children. We also extend heartfelt condolences to our Canadian brothers and sisters at the Cobourg, Ontario, Canada Police Department where Chris served as a loyal and dedicated officer for nearly two decades.
Chris’s death serves as a deeply troubling reminder of the unpredictability of police work and of the stunning degree of risk that can be lurking in even the most seemingly innocuous situations. In memory of Constable Chris Garret, remember the details of this attack for the rest of your professional life.
Rest in peace, Chris. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
By Jonathan Kingstone, and Pete Fisher, Special to the Free Press
The London Free Press (Ontario, Canada)
A “cop’s cop” who specialized in disarming suspects became the first-ever Cobourg, Ontario, Canada police officer killed in the line of duty when his throat was slashed early yesterday.
Sources said Const. Chris Garrett, 39, was attacked after coming to the aid of a youth who allegedly posed as a victim of a knife-point robbery.
Garrett, a father of two and one of the force’s most experienced officers, managed to fire several shots as he lay wounded, hitting his assailant in the leg, sources said.
An 18-year-old, who lives about two blocks from the shooting scene, was arrested at a local hospital where he had gone to seek treatment with his mother.
Garrett, an 18-year police veteran, died at the scene.
“This is the most dedicated, loyal police officer I’ve worked with in 31 years,” said Cobourg police Chief Garry Clement.
“He gave his 110 per cent every time he went out on the road,” Clement said. “He was a leader (who) had the respect of all his peers and superiors.”
As the chief spoke, Garrett’s wife, Denise, stood at the back of the room, hugging several of the force’s 35 officers who gathered to hear the announcement.
“This is a very close-knit police family,” said Insp. Paul Sweet. “Denise wanted to come, despite the tragedy that’s occurred, to be with the extended family.”
City police called in the OPP, who refused to provide details yesterday.
However, sources said Garrett and other officers were dispatched to the city’s now-abandoned Northumberland Health Care Centre around 3 a.m. after receiving a call from someone who reported he had a knife held to his throat.
The other officers cleared the scene as Garrett took a statement from a young man, who said he was the caller.
“He thought he was harmless,” one police source said.
Garrett was stabbed once before his neck was so severely slashed that a source said he was nearly decapitated.
The officer fired several shots as his attacker fled.
“I heard nine shots. They were very clearly gunshots,” said area resident Brian Moffatt. “There were about five shots and then four, with a brief pause in between.”
Officers who rushed to the scene found an empty ammunition clip on the ground from what’s believed to be Garrett’s service weapon. His gun belt was found five metres from his body.
The arrested teen’s name and charges were not released yesterday. He is expected to appear for a bail hearing tomorrow.
Garrett lived in Grafton with his wife, his son, Ben, 14, and stepdaughter, Britney, 9.
Garrett, who spent five years on the Peel Regional Police force before joining Cobourg, specialized in use-of-force training and officer safety.