Toronto officer killed during police raid was ‘loved by everyone,’ mourners told

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said Pinizzotto was part of the force’s emergency tactical unit, undertaking high-risk, complex operations. Pinizzotto was a mentor to many officers, Demkiw said.

“He devoted his life to service and to protecting others,” Demkiw said at the funeral. “He embodied the values we all strive to uphold.”

Pinizzotto’s daughter Daniella called him “the building blocks to my life.”

“Never in a million years did I think you would pass away so soon,” she said. “It’s so hard to say goodbye to your everything, and for me, my everything was my dad.”

His son, Domenic, said his father is his role model and he hopes to be like him when he is older.

“A few weeks ago, he talked about some different things we were going to do in the next little bit, like playing more golf together, fishing more, doing more camping and other things like that, which I hope to continue to do with him in spirit,” he said. “He inspired me and I want to be the same man that he was when I grow up.”

Linda Pinizzotto, the officer’s mother, described him as an “amazing son with a heart of gold.” She added that he had played professional hockey in Germany before deciding to become a police officer.

He devoted himself to his training, she said, and he had a “deep desire” to keep others safe.

“Marc has embraced people from all walks of life. Near and far, wherever he has gone, his kindness, his loyalty and genuine concern for others have touched countless, countless lives,” she said.

“He went to work every day with pride and honour … he had a unique ability to lighten difficult moments and lift the spirits of those around him.”

Supt. Gregory Watts said Pinizzotto was known as “Pinner” by his family and colleagues, calling him a “man who was loved by everyone.” He was a star athlete who loved playing hockey, Watts added.

“He wasn’t just respected. He was loved. He made hard days better, happy moments better,” Watts said. “Today is not about how we lost him. Today is about how lucky we were to have had him.”

The man accused of shooting Pinizzotto, 19-year-old Nicholas Bennett, was shot and injured by police and remains in hospital. Bennett has been charged with first-degree murder as well as offences related to two other shootings.

Pinizzotto is one of four police officers in Canada killed on the job recent weeks.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Brandon Malcolm, 33, died in a motorcycle crash in Cobourg, Ont., on April 27.

OPP Const. Tarun Bali, 29, was fatally struck by a vehicle in Hearst, Ont., on June 9. A suspect was charged with first-degree murder and other offences.

On Monday, Montreal police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, was shot and killed after responding to reports of a shooter outside a Hilton hotel. A civilian was also killed, as was the suspect. A second police officer was injured.

Demkiw said it has been “a tragic number of weeks” in the policing community.

“In times of grief, it is important to know that we can rely on one another,” Demkiw said at Pinizzotto’s funeral.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2026.

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Toronto officer killed during police raid was ‘loved by everyone,’ mourners told

What's Trending