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P.C. Terry Ryan
In a devastating blow to the force, Terry Ryan, president of the Durham Regional Police Association, was killed in a head-on crash with a suspected drunk driver in north Whitby.
The 55-year-old association leader and police constable, who "gave his heart and soul" to the service, died during surgery Friday morning.
He leaves his wife, Carol, two sons, Kevin and Jamie, and three grandchildren.
Flags were lowered to half-mast outside police headquarters in Oshawa, while inside stations across Durham officers of all ranks expressed shock. A visibly shaken Chief Kevin McAlpine, who visited the crash scene late Thursday, said he was deeply saddened.
"We're all really devastated. Our folks are trying to get the work done,
just trying to get through the day," said Chief McAlpine, his voice breaking.
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MADD Durham has marked the site of the crash with a Red Ribbon to remind passersby of the drunk driving tragedy which occurred on Lakeridge Road south of Hwy 7.
| "He's going to be a big loss."
Mr. Ryan was traveling north on Lakeridge Road, returning to his Oakwood home after a police function in Pickering about 10:40 p.m., when "a suspected impaired driver crossed the centre line," Chief McAlpine said. The 1996 Pontiac Transport van, which was southbound, collided with Mr. Ryan's 1996 Toyota Camry, destroying both vehicles, police said.
The driver of the van, a 37-year-old man from Georgetown, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Ajax and Pickering Health Centre, where he was arrested for impaired driving, said Sergeant Paul Malik, police spokesman. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
He remained under police guard in hospital Friday and will face a charge of impaired driving causing death upon his release, Sgt. Malik said. In a twist, while police were at the scene investigating the collision, which occurred just south of Hwy. 7, an Ajax woman being spoken to as a "potential witness" was herself arrested for impaired driving, Sgt. Malik said.
He said investigation found she was traveling behind the van in a Pontiac Grand Prix and both were leaving a "social function" at a local golf club. Mr. Ryan was air-lifted to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where he died during surgery five hours later. Colleagues described Mr. Ryan's passion for policing as matched by few and said he was unwavering in support of the 900-plus uniform and civilian police personnel he represented.
"He fought tooth-and-nail for us. It's absolutely devastating. He literally gave his heart and soul to the job for 30 years, and he'll be sorely missed," said Staff Sergeant Bruce Townley. Mr. Ryan was in his third term as Durham association president and was current chairman of the Police Association of Ontario. His leadership was widely respected across the country, said PAO President Bob Baltin.
"The tragedy is compounded by the report that the driver of the other vehicle was arrested for impaired driving," he said.
An outspoken crime-fighting advocate, Mr. Ryan lobbied in the past for stiffer penalties for impaired driving, and quit drinking himself 25 years ago, friends said.
Durham Region Chairman Roger Anderson also expressed sorrow.
"Terry stood behind the men and women of the Durham Regional Police Service and represented them passionately for many years," he said.
"Terry's commitment... to police officers in our region...(and) officers across Ontario, will be greatly missed," said Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Ryan began his policing career in 1973 with the Pickering Police Department, which merged with other municipal forces in 1974.
He was a Durham police association director for the past two decades, served as vice president and was first elected as president in 1993.
In recent years, under his leadership, the association butted heads with police management, spearheading a vote of non-confidence in the police chief, leading to calls for the chief and board members to resign.
A bitter two-year contract dispute followed, leading to a settlement last summer. Since then, there has been a cease-fire in hostilities and colleagues say a "mutual respect" developed between Mr. Ryan and Chief McAlpine.
Association Vice-President Doug Cavanaugh, interim president until an election is held, said Mr. Ryan "left his mark" with the impressive contract he negotiated.
"Terry's cement feet kept us locked in and he was able to garner the support of all membership. This contract is the reason a lot of experienced officers from other forces like York, Toronto and Peel are coming to Durham.
"He set the benchmark. The void he leaves is indescribable," Mr. Cavanaugh said.
Mr. Ryan would often "shoot from the hip" and although "not everyone liked his style," he spoke his mind and treated all fairly, Mr. Cavanaugh said.
A full police funeral is being planned for Wednesday, June 5'th, 2002.
Stephen Shaw, Staff Writer
Durham Region News Network
infodurhamregion.com
June 2, 2002
A beautiful poem has been written in Terry's memory by Kim Hefferman. To view, please visit the Police Poems website.
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