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Toronto Police Service honours Andrew Hong’s legacy

Sep. 12, 2023, Toronto, Ont. – The Toronto Police Service is committed to remembering Constable Andrew Hong and all that he represented when training the next generation of motorcycle officers.

On September 12, 2022 while on lunchbreak at a coffee shop during joint police services training in Mississauga, Hong was fatally shot. It was the start of a series of shootings in Peel and Halton region. Shakeel Ashraf and Satwinder Singh died from their injuries.

“He was an honourable and great man, a mentor and coach,” said Chief Myron Demkiw at a memorial event held at Traffic Services one year after Hong’s death. “We must continue that kind of legacy.”

Hong’s motorcycle, which was on display during the memorial, will be used in training new officers, which he did as a member of the Motor Squad.

Demkiw thanked Peel Police Service members, including Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Deputy Chief Marc Andrews and Inspector Wendy Sims, for attending the event. Peel Police led in the investigation into Hong’s death.

Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said September 12, 2022, was a very dark day.

“It was a dark day for Andrew’s family, a dark day for Toronto Police Service and a dark day for the province of Ontario,” he said. “We know that stars only shine in the dark. I came here on September 13, the day after we lost Andrew, and stood in this room. I saw the Motor Squad lined up and there were absolutely no words that I could say that would adequately provide comfort to a family that had just lost a brother.”

Mayor Olivia Chow noted that Hong lost his life in a space where people come together in a positive way.

“In this world of ours, it is not always filled with balanced people. It is filled with those who have trauma in their lives and they lash out and inflict pain on others. It is difficult because, in most instances, the tragedy is senseless and hard to process,” she said, offering her condolences.

Hong, affectionately known as Honger, was first assigned to 42 Division after graduating from Toronto Police College in 2000 and later served as a member of the Motor Squad for 14 years patrolling in a traffic safety capacity and training other officers.

Inspector Matt Moyer said Hong was an extraordinary man who dedicated his life and career to public safety and community.

Peel Traffic Services Inspector Wendy Sims presented a plaque with Hong’s badge and Peel Police Service logo to Traffic Services as well as a plaque on behalf of the U.S. police services.

“We are partners and we will always honour and remember Andrew,” said Sims, of the bond between the Peel Police and the Toronto Police Service.