The 21st Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial “Run to Remember” ended the first leg of their three day journey at Constable Chris Garrett Memorial Park in Cobourg on Thursday, September 25th, 2025.
Runners kicked off the annual event at the Ontario Police Memorial Park, on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in Toronto and finishing off the first day at 6:35 p.m. heading into the park with the names and images of the fallen police officers lining the pathway into the park and the Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums welcoming the group.
The program stated that Chief Paul VandeGraaf would give opening remarks, but VandeGraaf wasn’t in attendance and Deputy Chief Jeff Haskins welcome the runners along with the mother of Chris Garrett and his three sisters.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty (who is also on the Cobourg Police Services Board) and Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board Adam Bureau (Councillor) were the only members of Cobourg Council and Police Services Board in attendance along with police officers from Northumberland OPP and Port Hope Police.
“Each year when the Run visits Cobourg, we are deeply moved by the love and spirit to which you all bring to Chris Garrett Memorial Park,” said Haskins.
“We remember, and honour the officers who died protecting the communities they served, along with Constable William O’Rourke and Constable Chris Garrett – two of our own, who will never be forgotten.”
“Our thoughts remain with the family, friends, coworkers and communities effected with the loss of an officer whether recently or in the past.”
The Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund which is a charity in honour of the fallen OPP officer raises funds to dedicate the donation of life-saving defibrillators to public buildings in the name of fallen law enforcement, paramedics and miliary members who have died in the line of duty.
A defibrillator was donated in memory of Constable Garrett and will be placed in the Cobourg Community Centre.
Since the charities inception 221 defibrillators have been donated and have saved seven lives. The 222 was donated in honour of Garrett.
The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run“Run to Remember” began in 2005 when 24 members of the Peel Regional Police Pacers Running Team ran a total distance of 460 kms in a relay from Toronto to Ottawa.
Retired Peel Police Officer Johnny Walker was one of those runners and was a Recruit Cadet with Garrett at Peel Police.
“Former Deputy Peel Chief Randy Patrick and I, on Good Friday of 2005, jumped in his car and mapped out the route from the Memorial (Toronto) to the Ottawa Memorial. Randy and I took a whole day checking off 10-kilometre legs right up to Ottawa. Then in September of that year, 24 of us from the Peel running team decided we would venture out with no fanfare on the same route as we did today.”
Each year since the start, runners started touching the Memorial signifying the end of the first day.
“That was just something we thought we had to do and we’ve continued that tradition ever since.”
Walker said he retired, but is back working, but added, “I won’t miss this for the world” and added that Garrett, “would be blown out of his socks for sure,” seeing the support of over 300 law enforcement professionals representing 30 different agencies across Canada.
The Run to Remember also offers an opportunity for families and participants to reflect on the sacrifices made by the courageous men and women. The Run to Remember is privileged to have members of Survivors of Law Enforcement (SOLE) join the runners in their three-day trek to Ottawa. While running alongside officers from across the province, the members of SOLE will also be honoring their loved ones that they have lost and to pay tribute to those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice before them.
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
