Sudbury police officer was gunned down 30 years ago

Article content

Family and police took time on Saturday to remember Const. Joe MacDonald, who was gunned down 30 years ago on a Sudbury street.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Sudbury police officer was gunned down 30 years ago Back to video

“October 7, 1993, is a day that none of us will ever forget,” Greater Sudbury Police said in a statement. “It is the day that Constable Joseph ‘Joey’ MacDonald gave his life to protect this community. It was a sacrifice that will never be forgotten.

“We remember his tremendous sense of humour, his larger-than-life personality, his strength, his courage, his compassion and his passion for athletics.”

Police and family held a ceremony Saturday at Cst. Joe MacDonald Memorial Park, close to where he was murdered.

Two men — Clinton Suzack and Peter Pennett — were convicted of first-degree murder in MacDonald’s death.

MacDonald was 29 and the father of two young children.

The officer had pulled over a vehicle on Gordon Street in New Sudbury with Suzack and Pennett, who were drug dealers, inside. An altercation began and they shot MacDonald in an exchange of gunfire.

MacDonald suffered seven gunshot wounds, three of them to the back of his head.

Both accused denied shooting MacDonald, but both were found guilty in the case. Both men are now also inching closer to being released from prison.

Suzack, now 58, was just granted another six-month day parole to continue his reintegration into society.

The Parole Board of Canada said the privilege will allow Suzack to maintain and develop his network of support and participate in cultural activities while reintegrating back into society.

Pennett, also 58, qualified last year for unescorted temporary absences to attend a reintegration program.

His plan was to attend a halfway house program that “aims to equip participants with tools and skills that will assist them in their return to the community and reduce their risk of reoffending,” according a the parole board decision.

The board said Pennett will be permitted to pursue this release plan but with strict conditions, including that he not associate with any known criminals or have any contact with victims. He is also forbidden from entering the Sudbury and Algoma areas, and must not consume alcohol or drugs.

In its tribute to the slain officer, Greater Sudbury Police noted that MacDonald began his career with the then Sudbury Regional Police in 1988.

“Joe was immediately engaged as a young officer in our community by being part of the Police Buddy Program, a program specifically targeted to strengthen relationships between police and our community’s youth. With five years of policing experience, it was evident that Cst. MacDonald had a tremendously bright future as his empathy and compassion fuelled his natural leadership skills.

“He quickly became a very well-respected police officer.”

Following his murder, the Joe MacDonald Youth Football League was set up in his memory and over the past three decades, it “has fostered thousands of positive youth interactions with an emphasis on teamwork, recreational activity and fitness, positivity and community. Many of our members have played in the Joe MacDonald League and now volunteer their time to the league as coaches.

“Joe’s spirit continues to thrive through the legacy of the Joe MacDonald Youth Football League.”

MacDonald’s death and his legacy continue in other ways.

In 2002, the Public Safety Officers Survivors Scholarship Fund was renamed in honour of Joe MacDonald. The Constable Joe MacDonald Memorial Scholarship assists the families of fallen officers with funds for tuition, textbooks and certain living expenses for post-secondary education.

In 2006, through the Memorial for Fallen Police Officers Act, the bridge at Highway 17 and Municipal Road 55 was renamed the Constable Joseph MacDonald Memorial Bridge.

“Joe’s death was and always will be a tragedy,” the police service said. “Through this tragedy, significant changes were made to improve officer safety. In 1994, the Sudbury Regional Police integrated a new radio system and officer firearms in Ontario were upgraded to semi-automatic.

“Joe’s wife, Nancy, was a driving force for many of the changes to the firearms and ammunition, parole reform, the Victim’s Bill of Rights Act and the Faint Hope Clause.”

Officials believe that a better radio system may have warned MacDonald about Pennett and Suzack and the fact they were dangerous and that if he had a semi-automatic weapon, he would have had a better chance to fight them off.

sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca

X: @SudburyStar