Visitation Monday for Const. Garrett Styles

Hundreds of people lined up to pay their respects Monday for a York Regional Police officer killed during a routine traffic stop.

Colleagues and other officers were among those attending the visitation for Const. Garrett Styles at the Jerrett Funeral Home in Thornhill, Ont.

“Garrett was a very nice officer; I worked with him at Two District,” said Shirley Smith. “This is tragic. I’m sorry for the family, the children.”

“He was a wonderful man, great father, wonderful husband,” said Marianne Fairclough, who knew Styles. “Nothing but the best to say about him. Caring to the last minute, I believe.”

Last Tuesday, Styles, 32, was standing beside a minivan on Highway 48 in East Gwillimbury when it accelerated, dragging and crushing him.

The 15-year-old boy allegedly driving the minivan was charged with first-degree murder and is due in court Thursday. He can’t be identified because of his age.

“It’s one of those things we all look at from the point of view of that sacrifice that has been made and will be made,” said retired Toronto police chief William McCormack.

“It’s hard to express,” said retired York Region officer Joe Solski. “It’s a very sad moment any time a police officer dies. I’ve been going to so many funerals for police officers. Sometimes you just can’t take it anymore.”

Styles came from a proud policing family. His father, also an officer, retired in January. His wife Melissa is an employee, but not an officer, of York Regional Police. She is expected to speak at her husband’s funeral Tuesday.

Thousands from both Canada and the United States are expected at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket. The service will begin at 1 p.m.

Aside from his wife, Styles leaves behind two children: two-year-old Meredith and 9-week-old Nolan.

Here are the details for the family’s trust fund.

Police Credit Union
18025 Yonge St.
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 8C9

Account number: 2000014 York Branch
Transit number: 63612

Cheques should be made payable to “In Trust for Melissa Styles” or “Melissa Styles In Trust.” Cheques can be mailed to the Newmarket Branch of the Police Credit Union as listed above. Deposits can be made directly at any branch of the Police Credit Union.

Click here for Police Credit Union locations.

CityNews.ca will be livestreaming the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday.