Fallen Ottawa Police Officer Identified As Eric Czapnik

A Mountie is in custody after an Ottawa police officer was stabbed to death.

The slain man has been identified as Constable Ireneusz “Eric” Czapnik, 51. He was killed in an apparently random attack early Tuesday while he was sitting in his cruiser.

Czapnik leaves behind four children, three sons and a daughter. His parents and sister live in Warsaw, where his father was a police officer for over 30 years.

The surprise assault happened around 4:30am outside the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital. Czapnik was writing up notes on an unrelated case when the suspect suddenly appeared.

“The officer apparently was … surprise attacked. … He was at the hospital on duty, (there) doesn’t appear to be a connection between the individual and the officer,” Ottawa Police Chief Vern White explained.

The officer died about an hour after the stabbing. Czapnik came to Canada from Poland in 1990 and was hired by the Ottawa force in 2007.

White issued a statement hours after the deadly attack in which he credited members of the public and two paramedics on scene for apprehending the suspect. Authorities haven’t yet laid charges as they’re still investigating the incident.

However, “we have a good understanding of what occurred,” White said later on Tuesday afternoon.

Kevin Gregson, 43, is in custody and the Mountie has found himself on the wrong side of the law before. He pleaded guilty to uttering a death threat in 2007. While off-duty he brandished a knife when a bishop refused to grant him a special card that allows members to enter Mormon temples for certain ceremonies.

He reportedly underwent surgery to remove cysts from his brain several months later.

“Again at this moment in time, please let me express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the police officer and the OPS family members who are dealing with this tragedy,” White said in his statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

This was the first time an Ottawa police officer has died in the line of duty since 1983, when Const. David Utman was shot to death during an altercation at a shopping centre.

“It’s tough. This city, particularly in relation to police officers, has been very, very safe. We haven’t lost an officer since the early 80s. Not that it would be easier. But it certainly is not something we’re used to dealing with or managing,” White said.

With files from the Canadian Press

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Family Statement

Today we are faced with the loss of Eric, a police officer and we grieve the loss of a husband, a father of four children, a brother and a son.

Eric, who worked for 3 years as an Ottawa police officer, was a proud Polish Canadian who came to Canada in 1990. He was an engaged and dedicated police officer who truly enjoyed working in the community. He was a proud officer following in the footsteps of his father who was also an officer for over 30 years in Poland.

This is a most difficult time for our family. We would like to ask the media and the public to respect our privacy during this time.

Thank you.

the Czapnik Family

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Here is the full text of White’s statement:

It is with great sadness that I am here before you today.  An Ottawa Police Officer has passed away this morning at 5:30 am.

The Officer will not be identified at this time as we are in the process of notifying next of kin – I am sure that members of the media will respect that process.

The Ottawa Police Officer was at the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital when he was approached by a male suspect and stabbed.

Thanks to the prompt response of members of the public and in particular two paramedics at the scene, the suspect was apprehended.

Charges have not been laid yet as the Major Crime Unit is investigating the incident.  The identity of the suspect will be released when charges are laid.

We will provide a briefing to media and the community later on this morning when further information becomes available.

Again at this moment in time, please let me express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the police officer and the OPS family members who are dealing with this tragedy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.