Robert Plunkett
FeaturedNewsSeries2
August 08, 2007 03:53 PM
Thousands gather to honour slain cop
By: Joe Fantauzzi, Staff Writer
Friends and family of a man known as “Chum” said their final goodbyes in Newmarket Wednesday.
The floor of a Newmarket hockey arena was transformed into a sea of blue as thousands of police officers from across the country gathered to pay their respects to fallen York Regional Police Det.-Const. Robert Plunkett.
The funeral was also attended by many dignitaries, including Lieut. Gov. James Bartleman, Premier Dalton McGuinty and local politicians.
Inside the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, officers exchanged hugs amid the rising pitch of a police choir.
As pictures of Det.-Const. Plunkett, 43, and his family flashed across huge monitors, some officers began to weep.
As the monitors turned to a live feed of Det.-Const. Plunkett’s casket being removed from a hearse, the thousands of murmurs were hushed while soft piano music echoed throughout the complex.
When the procession entered, bagpipes played by Det. Peter Fleming backed Deborah Barber’s rendition of Amazing Grace.
The Canada flag-draped coffin was brought through the middle of thousands of mourners, with pallbearers stopping just a moment after reaching the stage.
A police hat and bouquet of flowers were placed atop the coffin.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Canon Gregory Symmes equated Det.-Const. Plunkett’s death to “a huge rock being thrown in a small pond”.
Det.-Const. Plunkett’s relatives will remember his love for his family, his sense of determination and passion for life, his nephew, Orangeville Police Const. Scott Lobb, said.
Const. Lobb described his uncle as a role model, adding despite the veteran officer — originally from Auburn, Ont. — growing up with allergies and asthma, he achieved the moniker of “toughest cop alive”.
He also spoke about Det.-Const. Plunkett’s widow, Sonja, saying the family is fortunate to have her.
The pair were married nearly 20 years.
“She is Rob’s soul mate and perfect partner,” Const. Lobb said.
Those attending the service should go home and love their families, just as Det.-Const. Plunkett did, he added.
“If we could all go home remembering that request and practising it, Rob Plunkett will not have died in vain,” Const. Lobb said.
Family friend Tim Hill spoke on behalf of Mrs. Plunkett, saying the officer had been recognized 25 times in a 22-year career for going above and beyond his duty.
“In the way Rob lived his life, he always gave the very best of himself,” Mr. Hill said, adding Det.-Const. Plunkett was immensely proud of his children, Amanda, Jeffrey and Mathew.
“Rob set very high standards for his children because he cared for them, because he wanted the very best for them and the very best from them,” Mr. Hill said.
The master of the practical joke, Det.-Const. Plunkett had a nickname for everyone he met, Mr. Hill said.
“He brought joy to our lives and we are all better people for having known him,” he said.
Known to friends and co-workers as “Plunk” or “Plunker”, anyone who knew the officer developed a personal relationship with him and his family, York Insp. Tom Carrique said.
“He called everyone ‘Chum’ and he, himself, became known as ‘Chum’,” Insp. Carrique said.
“I know my own kids will always remember our camping trip with the Plunketts. You will live on in our hearts.”
Chief Armand La Barge told those gathered it was “impossible not to be overcome with a feeling of shock and horror” when he heard of the officer’s death.
“It is times like this where it is extremely difficult not to give into the dark side of sorrow,” Chief La Barge said, adding Det.-Const. Plunkett would want everyone he knew to be courageous.
Active in the Special Olympics, Det.-Const. Plunkett volunteered in 1999 to be the chairperson of the 2000 Special Olympics spring games in York Region.
It was amazing to watch his interaction with Special Olympians, Chief La Barge said.
Glenn MacDonell of Special Olympics Ontario said he never directly asked Det.-Const. Plunkett why he became so involved with the organization, but suspects it was a love of sport, a belief that policing is more than law and order and seeing the smile on the faces of Special Olympians.
“Rob is my friend and I’ll dearly miss him,” Mr. MacDonell said, his voice cracking.
Saying he was speaking on behalf of 13 million Ontarians, Premier McGuinty told the Plunkett family people across the province were holding them in their thoughts and prayers.
“In a world where it is easy to be cynical, easy to believe people are just out for themselves ... a true hero, a man like Rob stands out like a shining beacon.”
Det.-Const. Plunkett died in the line of duty Thursday in Markham while investigating the theft of airbags from cars.
When Det.-Const. Plunkett approached the open driver’s side door of a car to arrest the driver, the man allegedly put the car in reverse, running it up over a curb, across a lawn and shrubs, pinning the officer between the open door and a tree.
The officer was rushed to Scarborough Grace Hospital, where he later died.
Two men were arrested at the scene. One has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Det.-Const. Plunkett’s death.
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