Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say an officer was killed in the line of duty after he was seriously injured while conducting an investigation near Hearst, Ont., about 600 kilometres northwest of Sudbury.
In a press release, the OPP said officers from the James Bay detachment were conducting an investigation at Kendall Concession Road 7 and Concession Road 6 near Hearst at around 12:30 p.m. on June 9.
An officer was seriously injured and was later pronounced dead.
Police have not provided details regarding the nature of the investigation, nor how the officer was injured.
The OPP said, however, that one person is in custody.
The officer was identified as Provincial Const. Tarun Bali, who was assigned to the Dufferin detachment and had two and a half years of service.
At the time of his death, Tarun was deployed with the James Bay detachment.
The OPP criminal investigation branch is investigating Tarun’s death in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
“It is with deep sorrow that I confirm that OPP Provincial Constable Tarun Bali was killed in the line of duty this afternoon in Hearst,” OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said in a statement posted to social media.
“His courage and commitment to serving others will never be forgotten. As we grieve this immeasurable loss, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and the policing community.”
In an interview with CBC News, OPP Association President David Sabatini said other members of the Dufferin detachment are grieving.
“Constable Bali was a very well liked and respected member of [the Dufferin] detachment and of the OPP organization,” he said.
“This is every police and family members worst nightmare. It’s another reminder of the dangers that our members face every day as they serve to protect the citizens of Ontario.”
