It's been 20 years since Windsor Police Senior Constable John Atkinson was murdered in the line of duty.
On May 5, 2006, Atkinson was stopped at a gas station when he witnessed suspicious activity and approached two individuals.
He was shot by Nikkolas Robert Brennan, who was 18 at the time. After an investigation and trial, Brennan was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
On the twentieth anniversary, the Atkinson family attended a private ceremony at Windsor police headquarters, where John Atkinson was awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal. The medal, granted posthumously by the Governor General, recognizes Atkinson's years of service in Windsor.
Since his death, Atkinson has been honoured by the naming of a community centre in his neighbourhood and a tunnel leading out of St. Clair College onto Hwy. 401.
The Windsor Police Service asks anyone who is able to observe a moment of silence at 2:07 p.m. to remember Constable Atkinson and the sacrifice he made in service to this community.
