The Citizen, 2010-03-18, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010. With a Wingham OPP officer dead,and a previous neighbour of his dead
from wounds suffered in a shotout
with police, the events of March 8
will live on in memory for residents
of Huron County for some time.
Provincial Constable Vu Pham,
born in Vietnam and raised by an
adoptive family in Sunridge, Ontario,
was shot by Fred Preston, former
Reeve of Joly Township, also from
Sunridge, on March 8 at
approximately 10:30 a.m.
Pham died of his injuries later that
day.
Preston, who was shot in the head
according to published reports, was
removed from life support by his
family and died on Thursday, March
11.
Morris-Turnberry Township Mayor
Dorothy Kelly said that, while she
doesn’t know the Pham family
personally, she feels for their loss.
“It’s a dreadful thing to happen,”
she said. “I’m so sorry for the family.
The funeral was so sad, and I
certainly hope they get along all
right.”
Reeve Neil Vincent of North Huron
said that the reality of this is
something no one expects.
“I think much of Ontario is feeling
the loss of a police officer right now,”
he said.
Vincent also said that the
community of North Huron has lost
much more than a police officer.
“[Pham] was a strong family
figure, always involved with his
church, and his children in hockey,
and soccer,” he said. “He was a
strong part of the parents and family
of Turnberry Central school
“We’ve lost a model citizen,”
Vincent continued. “He worked with
young people, and worked for the
future.”
Vincent said that, while the OPP
had dedicated staff to plan the
funeral, North Huron, and other
municipalities offered their support.
“It [wasn’t] just us,” he said.
Vincent also wanted to remind the
public that whatever grief or pain
they feel, the family, and those close
to them, will be feeling far worse,
and that they will need the support of
their community.
David Riach, North Huron
councillor for Blyth Ward, said that
it’s a difficult situation, and an
unfortunate one.
“It’s an unfortunate event that
affects everyone,” he said. “And it’s a
very, very sad day.”
Riach went on to say that his heart
goes out to the family of Constable
Pham.
Brussels Ward Coun. Frank
Stretton of North Huron township
Council had a unique view of the
community impact as both a
councillor and the principal of
Wingham Public School.
“As a principal, I can see it’s really
affected the school. A lot of students
are connected with the family,” he
said. “And a lot of them knew officer
Pham.”Stretton said that Wingham isreally coming out to support both theOPP and the family“Students are making cards, and
we’re running a blue ribbon program
at the school to help out,” he said.
Stretton also said there was a
strong feeling of anger throughout
the community at the events of
monday.
“There’s definitely a lot of feelings
of anger,” he said. “[Officer Pham]
didn’t deserve this, he was just doing
his job.”
North Huron council as a whole
expressed condolences to Heather,
Pham’s wife, and their children, as
well as friends and colleagues in
correspondence to The Citizen.
North Huron also commented on
Pham’s dedication to his community
and job.
“[Pham’s] commitment and
dedication to his community speaks
volumes of the positive impact that
one person can make. His heroic
actions will live on as an example to
all of us of the risks that men and
women in uniform take on a daily
basis regardless of where they work
to protect us all,” the council said in
correspondence.
Huron East councillor Bob Fisher
said that the community was shocked
at the loss of any police officer, but
especially one so close to home.
“To lose such a young man, a good
man, it’s shocking.” He said. “And I
think it hits harder because he had a
young, growing family.”
“It’s surprising to have these kinds
of events happen in such a peaceful
agrarian area,” Fisher said, adding
that the world has really changed.
“When a 70-year-old man resorts
to a gun to solve his problems,”
Fisher said. “The question is, why is
there such a propensity for violence
in the world.”
Fisher said that he hopes that the
media coverage won’t have any
adverse effects on the family and
community.
“[The Phams] seem to be a strong
family, and they’re part of a strong
community,” he said. “But I hope the
media coverage doesn’t become
overwhelming.”
Fisher said that events like this
resonate with individuals who have
suffered their own losses.
Huron East and Huron County
councillor Bill Siemon said it was a
shocking event.
“It’s sad to think about what
happened,” he said. “It was a terrible
thing, such a waste.”
Siemon said that after the event,
there were a lot of speculations, and
that it was a small comfort to know
that Preston was not from the area.
“I guess all we can do now is pray
for the families involved,” Siemon
said. “And try to put it behind us.”
Representatives of Morris-
Turnberry, North Huron, and Huron
East attended the funeral service for
Pham, which was held at the
Westcast Recreation complex due to
the number of well-wishers that was
anticipated.
In the wake of the murder of Huron
OPP Constable Vu Pham, Huron
County council will now recognize
some of its top achievers in the
county’s emergency services
departments.
Councillor Dave Johnston of
Bluewater proposed the idea at the
beginning of Huron County council’s
committee of the whole meeting on
March 10.
Johnston proposed that one police
officer, firefighter and paramedic
from Huron County be recognized
for an annual award.
Johnston proposed that chief
administrative officer Larry Adams
call for nominations from chiefs
of Huron County fire departments
and police detachments and
that David Lew, emergency
medical services manager, nominate
the county’s top paramedic each
year.
The program will commence with
the first annual service award given at
the conclusion of the current
year.
Local politicans shocked at violence in Huron
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March 31st, 2010
Power in numbers
Over 5,000 uniformed officers descended on Wingham on Friday to say a final goodbye to
their fallen comrade, OPP Const. Vu Pham. Officers came to Huron County from all over
Canada to stand outside and listen to Pham’s service. Hundreds of members of the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police were also in Wingham on Friday (below) to bid farewell to their
fallen brother. These Mounties were part of a large contingent of police that came to Wingham
from all over Canada to salute their fallen comrade. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Denny ScottThe Citizen
Huron service award