Accused In Officer’s Death Was Out On Bail/Funeral Details Released

It’s a sad fact of life that whenever a police officer is struck down in the line of duty, the attention at least temporarily turns away from the heroic victim and onto the suspects accused of committing the crime. Which is what brought reporters out to a Newmarket courtroom on Friday, for the first appearances of the duo charged in the death of Cst. Robert Plunkett.

The 22-year York Regional Police veteran was killed early Thursday morning, as he attempted to arrest two men wanted in an airbag theft ring. Nadeem Jiwa is facing the most serious charges in the case – manslaughter. The 19-year-old was out on bail on an unrelated airbag pilfering charge when he allegedly crossed paths with the fallen officer on a darkened street in Markham. Isn’t there a certainly irony in his standing before a judge and pleading for another chance at bail? “It’s true that he was out on bail at the time,” admits his lawyer Azam Murji. “He’s still entitled to a bail hearing with respect to these set of charges.”

His co-accused, 23-year-old Baseer Yousafzai, is facing mischief and theft allegations but police note the charges against both men could be increased as their probe into the sudden death continues. Jiwa remains in custody until his next appearance on Wednesday, a date that’s filled with irony. It will take place directly across the street from the Ray Twinney Centre, the place where the official police funeral will be held for Plunkett.

They needed a large venue for what’s expected to be an overflow crowd. Officers from across North America will descend on the facility to pay a tearful and respectful tribute to the man who gave his life serving and protecting. Flags at police stations throughout the GTA will remain at half mast in his honour.

Plunkett’s body will be taken to Barrie for interment after the funeral. But while he’s gone, his legacy lingers. His work with the Special Olympics, one of his pet causes, stands out. “He was a real kind and generous person that would help anyone,” remembers Special Olympian Steph Smith.

It’s a fitting epitaph for a man most won’t soon forget.

Fallen officer a pillar of his community

Death brings back bitter memories from many

Airbag theft a lucrative crime

Court Sketch Courtesy The Toronto Sun

A list of some of the Canadian police officers known to have died on the job since 2000:

Aug. 2, 2007: York regional police Const. Rob Plunkett, 43, dies after being dragged by a car, pinned to a tree, and then thrown from the vehicle while attempting an arrest.

March 2, 2007: Laval police Det.-Sgt. Daniel Tessier, 42, killed by gunfire after taking part in a drug raid in Brossard, south of Montreal.

July 15-16, 2006: RCMP constables Robin Cameron, 29, and Marc Bourdages, 26, die in hospital overnight about two hours apart. Both had suffered severe head injuries after being shot July 7 while chasing a suspect following a domestic dispute in Spiritwood, Sask.

Dec. 14, 2005: Const. Valerie Gignac, 25, of municipal police in Laval, Que., killed by gunfire from a man who barricaded himself in an apartment.

July 20, 2005: Ontario Provincial Police Const. Andrew Potts, 29, killed when his patrol cruiser hit a moose as he rushed to a domestic dispute call near Bracebridge.

July 4, 2005: RCMP Const. Jose Agostinho, 45, when his cruiser was rammed by a transport truck south of Edmonton.

June 3, 2005: RCMP Const. Joseph Minguy, 46, drowned when he fell overboard while patrolling alone on a police boat on Okanagan Lake near Vernon, B.C.

March 3, 2005: RCMP Consts. Brock Myrol, 29, Peter Christopher Schiemann, 25, Anthony Gordon, 28, Leo Nicholas Johnston, 32, after they were ambushed and gunned down in a raid on a farm near Mayerthorpe, Alta., 130 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

Nov. 13, 2004: Auxiliary RCMP officer Glen Evely, 39, of Vernon, B.C., when a stolen truck ran a red light and struck his cruiser.

May 23, 2004: Ontario Provincial Police Const. Tyler Boutilier, 32, of the Grenville detachment, killed when his cruiser was struck by an oncoming vehicle in his lane as he answered an emergency call at a campground.

May 15, 2004: — Const. Chris Garrett, 39, of the force in Cobourg, Ont., slashed in the neck with a hunting knife after responding to a 911 call about a robbery in the parking lot of an abandoned hospital.

Feb. 28, 2004: Cpl. Jim Galloway, 53, an RCMP dog handler stationed in Sherwood Park, Alta., killed during a gunfight after an armed standoff in which the suspect also died.

Sept. 20, 2003: — Ontario Provincial Police Const. John Flagg, 55, killed when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck during a high-speed pursuit near Almonte, Ont.

May 27, 2003: Const. Philip Shrive, 49, of the provincial police detachment in Renfrew, died in hospital a week after after his cruiser was struck by an oncoming truck.

Dec. 18, 2002: RCMP Supt. Dennis Massey, 53, killed in Calgary when a propane tanker truck’s trailer toppled over and landed on his car.

Sept. 15, 2002: Richmond, B.C., RCMP Const. Jimmy Ng died when his police cruiser was broadsided, sending him flying through the rear window.

March 12, 2002: Banff RCMP Const. Christine Diotte, 35, killed when a sport utility vehicle slid on an icy patch of road and crashed into her while investigating another accident.

Feb. 28, 2002: Montreal Const. Benoit L’Ecuyer, 29, shot and killed during a chase with a speeding car.

Feb. 18, 2002: Toronto Const. Laura Ellis, 31, killed when the police cruiser she was a passenger in collided with another car and then struck a utility pole while responding to an emergency call.

Dec. 23, 2001: Const. Martin Lefebvre, 22, of Shawinigan, Que., died after losing control of his patrol vehicle while answering an emergency call.

Dec. 20, 2001: RCMP Const. Dennis Strongquill, 52, shot after pursuing a stolen car in Russell, Man.

Oct. 17, 2001: Calgary Const. Darren Beatty, 29, a member of the department’s elite tactical unit, died after he was shot by a colleague in a hostage-taking simulation during a training exercise.

March 5, 2001: RCMP Const. Jurgen Seewald, shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute in Cape Dorset, Nunavut.

Aug. 28, 2000: Const. Alain Forget, killed when thieves rammed a police car at a roadblock in St-Hubert, Que.

Aug. 16, 2000: RCMP Sgt. Ed Mobley and pilot Tim Nicholson died when their plane crashed in northern British Columbia during a training exercise.

June 9, 2000: Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Marg Eve, died two days after a truck hit three police cars and another vehicle stopped on the side of Highway 401 near London, Ont.