City mourns Tarun Bali, rookie cop from Brampton killed in line of duty

Flags at Brampton City Hall were lowered to half-mast on Wednesday to mourn the death of Tarun Bali – a police officer killed on the job this week and “son of Brampton,” Mayor Patrick Brown says.

Bali, 29, was a two-and-a-half-year rookie with the OPP and member of the Dufferin Detachment. He was on deployment with the James Bay Detachment on Tuesday when he was struck and killed by a driver during an investigation near the town of Hearst, approximately 260 kilometres west of Timmins.

A graduate of Fleming College’s Customs / Border Services program, Bali was raised in Brampton after his family reportedly emigrated from India, and Mayor Patrick Brown says the young officer “made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the public.”

“His bravery is a powerful reminder of the risks our frontline officers face every single day,” Brown said in a statement honouring Bali.

He is survived by his parents and wife, who will accompany his body for transport to Toronto, according to reports.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire Ontario Provincial Police family during this devastating time,” Brown said.

In honour of Bali, the CN Tower will dim for the first five minutes of every hour on Wednesday.

OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique says an 18-year-old fleeing from police was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck and killed Bali on Tuesday afternoon. Officers sought to capture the suspect safely after escaping from a hospital where he was being assessed under the Mental Health Act.

Justin Veronneau, 18, has been charged with first-degree murder, assaulting police, resisting arrest, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, dangerous operation of a vehicle and two counts of flight from police.

Tributes poured in for Bali following his death, with the union representing uniformed and civilian members of the OPP, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and Ontario Premier Doug Ford among many others sharing condolences on social media.

Bali’s death comes a little more than one month after another OPP officer, Sgt. Brandon Malcolm, was killed in a highway crash involving a motorcycle on Highway 401 in Cobourg, east of Toronto.

– With  files from The Canadian Press