Thousands turn out for procession and funeral of fallen Toronto cop Andrew Hong
Nine days after 48-year-old Toronto Police Constable Andrew Hong was killed in the line of duty, thousands have turned out to his funeral and procession.
Around 9:45 a.m. this morning, police members from across the province started marching towards the Toronto Congress Centre, ahead of Hong's casket arriving.
My condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Andrew Hong. Killed in the line of duty. @TorontoPolice @TrafficServices #TorontoPolice @CityNewsTO pic.twitter.com/4YuaFPZjWw
— Chris Pudel 🇨🇦🏳️🌈 (@CPudel) September 21, 2022
The scene right now outside the centre has brought thousands of mourners, including some members of the public.
Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow @TPAca members and policing family from across Ontario to pay our respects to our fallen Constable Andrew Hong. Our #HeroInLife #HM19. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/Ka0vNIBBRc pic.twitter.com/eQyabqnGqI
— York Regional Police Association (@YRPAca) September 21, 2022
A livestream of the event from the OPP Highway Safety Division has captured the hour-long procession, showing hundreds of police motorcycles.
Funeral procession of Cst. Andrew Hong -Toronto Police Service https://t.co/GvFoZo4Ash
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) September 21, 2022
A casket holding Hong's body just recently arrived at the TCC, for a private service, which is closed off to the public.
Police Services & Police Associations, officers, as well as other emergency services, community members, friends and family have joined us today as we lay Constable Andrew Hong to rest. #HM19 pic.twitter.com/Ndzvj8OYDF
— Toronto Police Association (@TPAca) September 21, 2022
Officers from Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police and even some from the Buffalo force have partaken in today's procession.
More than 560 @PeelPolice members gathered this morning to honour Cst Andrew Hong and support his family, loved ones and colleagues. Members of police services across Canada are mourning his loss. #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/dVr8YCQ6VG
— Charles Payette (@charles_payette) September 21, 2022
Overhead shots are truly breath-taking, showing rows and rows of officers lining up and down the street.
Via Christopher Higgins - former TPS Officer and Cadet Motor Officer:
— TPS Motor Squad (@TPSMotorSquad) September 19, 2022
“Some days mean more than others. The thunder and camaraderie I was privileged to be part of today in honour of a fallen officer was one of those days. RIP Andrew Hong.”#HM19 pic.twitter.com/AqkcdvxvIy
The procession is expected to see over 10,000 officers attend, including mounted and motorcade units.
The funeral procession for Constable Andrew Hong has arrived at Toronto Congress Centre.
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 21, 2022
The funeral will be livestreamed on YouTube (https://t.co/rYFBQObAGE) and broadcasted by your local TV newscasters.
More details: https://t.co/UV6Xc1evp1#HM19 pic.twitter.com/AIMS0fEXsL
The journey started early this morning as Hong's body left the Kane-Jarret Funeral Home and headed some 22 kilometres to the TCC.
Pure Class @407ETR . From the Hong family and all of our Blue sisters and brothers, Thank You!! @TPAca @TorontoPolice @StamatakisCPA @CPPOM @OPP_News @HeroesInLife @CanadaBTB @mrsmeaghangray @TomHayesNews pic.twitter.com/4NE3Mv7lwm
— Pete Grande- Director Member Benefits-TPA (@TpaGrande) September 21, 2022
Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory are expected to be in attendance today, among other high-ranking police officers.
Today, we lay Constable Andrew Hong to rest. Andrew proudly served as a member of the Toronto Police Service for 22 years. He died in the line of duty on Monday, September 12, 2022.
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 21, 2022
For details of today's funeral, follow #HM19 or https://t.co/UV6Xc1f3ez.
^vk pic.twitter.com/KQ8SghJsrm
The 22-year veteran of the force was shot and killed last Monday at a GTA Tim Hortons, in what police have called an "unprovoked" incident. One other person in the area was also shot and received life-altering injuries.
Paying respect and tribute to fallen Constable, Andrew Hong of the @TorontoPolice, who’s funeral procession left Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, Yonge St in Thornhill on its way to Toronto Congress Centre. May Constable Hong Rest In Peace and his family find consolation today.#HM19 pic.twitter.com/CSEKIT1dM1
— Steve Wilson (@stevewilsonlive) September 21, 2022
Following this atrocious event, the alleged suspect went on to shoot three more people, resulting in the death of two, before he died following an "interaction" with Hamilton Police.
Motive for this horrendous shooting spree has yet to be determined, but police say Hong was targeted for being in his uniform.
Today the Toronto Sign will be dimmed in memory of Constable Andrew Hong whose life was tragically lost in the line of duty. pic.twitter.com/HO1uUg3FJ7
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) September 21, 2022
In the days since his death, thousands of messages of condolences have been forwarded to his family.
An especially tear-jerking tribute from Hong's daughter, Mia, showcased the intense grief his family is in.
