It’s been 21 years since Cobourg Police officer Chris Garrett was murdered in the line of duty.
It was around 3 a.m. that a phoney robbery call came into Cobourg Police.
The assailant said he was the victim of a robbery at the former hospital on Chapel and D’Arcy Street and the suspect had fled the scene.
Officers searched the area while Garrett took a description of the suspect.
Court records indicated that it was around the time that Garrett was taking notes “victim” became a cold blooded killer and mortally wounded the Cobourg Police officer.
As the suspect ran away from the scene and though mortally wounded Garrett ran after his murderer firing his service weapon.
Evidence indicated that Garrett’s final bullet struck his killer in the right leg.
Garrett died at the scene a short time later.
The 18-year-old killer was picked up by his mother a short distance away and attended Northumberland Hills Hospital where he was treated for his wounded.
In February 2007, the murderer was found guilty of first degree murder of Garrett.
But it was what the killer had in mind that Garrett prevented.
The killer had a long list of “goals” that early morning that were prevented by solely by Garrett.
“Chaos is coming,” was in his manifesto.
He’d planned to use homemade bombs and Molotov cocktails as police exited the station. He wanted to kill a gas station attendant.
A note he left for his parents was on his computer. A picture of Tom Cruise in the move The Last Samari riding into certain death stating there was nothing his parents could have done to prevent the rampage.
He wanted to make his “last stand” at Northumberland Mall.
But the killer didn’t count on Garrett’s resolve to protect the citizens’ of Cobourg.
Each year, memories fade for some, but for others it’s as clear as yesterday.
Mike Richardson retired from the Cobourg Police Service on May 31, 2024.
When Garrett was murdered Richardson was working nights with the Durham Regional Police Service.
“I remember attending his funeral and was one of the thousands of police officers who formed the Guard of Honour for Chris and his family,” said Richardson.
“I remember marching to Elgin Street West just by Ontario St and halting, inward turn and stand at attention – we all saluted as Chris and his family went by.”
“We all paid our respects.”
Richardson suffered a Operation Stress Injury in 2017 that was reactivated in 2022.
Starting his career with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Navy Administration Clerk he later became a military police officer. Then joined Durham Regional Police and finally Cobourg Police where he ended his 37-years of policing.
While being off duty on his OSI, he started to attend various locations to pay respects to fallen officers and comrades with his wife Angie.
“We attended Memorials, along with attending the Highway of Heroes for Repatriations of our fallen CAF members and we planted trees with the Army at the Grafton Arena.”
It was one day that he saw his wife crocheting Poppies that he had an idea.
“I asked her if she could make me some to have when I visit grave sites of my brothers and sisters who have paid with the ultimate sacrifice or for those who have passed away.”
Richardson said the events are sad, “however respects were owed and deserved. So my volunteering continued with Angie by my side.”
His wife recently sent poppies to the Netherlands for the recent memorial for the WWII liberation of the Netherlands.
After paying respects with Poppies, Richardson asked his wife if she could make some Blue Hearts.
In full dress uniform, Richardson and his wife drove to Garrett’s burial north of Kingston on Thursday, May 15, 2025 to pay his respects.
Proudly saluting and leaving a prayer, a Cobourg Police coin and a Blue Heart.
“I believe in paying respects where respects are deserved. I don’t do this to gain respect, I do this to give respect.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
