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Slain Officer's Last Words to EMTs: 'Thank You'

211 Comments

OTTAWA – As Constable Eric Czapnik lay dying from a mortal knife wound to the throat, he spoke two final and poignant words to his paramedic rescuers.

The patrolman had been writing case notes inside his cruiser, parked outside the emergency department of The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus, when a man approached and attacked him with a knife.

Four paramedics, none yet publicly identified, ran from the emergency room to help. It wasn’t until a male paramedic grabbed the attacker in a headlock from behind, that they realized the assailant had a knife.

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As the attacker tried to reach around and stab the male paramedic, a petite female paramedic wrestled the weapon from his hand. A second female paramedic kicked him in the groin, and all three wrestled him to the ground. Another female paramedic attended to Const. Czapnik.

As he lay dying from the random attack, Const. Czapnik, 51, uttered his last words to the paramedics, according to police sources.

“Thank you,” he said.

That his very final act was an expression of gratitude to others is a powerful testament of a man who, as his mourners heard last week, cared deeply about others and about this community.

The first police officers to arrive on the scene found the suspect restrained with Const. Czapnik’s handcuffs, sitting in the back seat of his cruiser.

None of the paramedics were physically injured. But the incident is reviving debate whether paramedics should wear body armour and possibly even carry arms of some sort.

Kevin Gregson, 43, an RCMP officer on suspension from the force since 2006, is charged with first-degree murder. His next court appearance is on Jan. 19.

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DeRail2010

over 3 years ago

2 Comments

Man that's terrible....That was an honorable act of the paramedics...my heart goes out to Cons. Czapnik's family...God Bless Us All,,,Amen......
JSpencerFan23

over 3 years ago

160 Comments

Very sad story. God bless Constable Czapnik's family, and the EMT's that assisted him. What a great man, even in his last seconds he was thankful for some one else's actions. RIP
MsSilky1

over 3 years ago

64 Comments

How horrible! I don't know if Constable Czapnik had his doors locked or not, but perhaps having an officer stationed at the emergency room / hospital entrance may have helped. It is unfortunate that some go to work each day and have to face maniacs like this on a routine basis. I don't know what possesses some others to do horrendous things like this......My thoughts and prayers are with this fine gentleman and his family.
TOPGLOCK45

over 3 years ago

206 Comments

RIP Brother you will never be forgotten-
beallyoucanbe1

over 3 years ago

20 Comments

how all brothers and sister in blue can aviod this?''
beallyoucanbe1

over 3 years ago

20 Comments

rip brother.true heroe.
beallyoucanbe1

over 3 years ago

20 Comments

i say thank you to all the EMT'S are HEROES.thank you for your efforts in tryng to save mr. constable czapnic and the rcmp.you are all heroes.thank tou again.,god bless you and you family, thansk god the medics got this horrible men,now i will be pay all his life.from pennsylvania usa. my brother in blue.be in peace,i not police officer but feels like from my heart i lost some one of my family. i allways want to be a police officer,i'm 35 years old male. p.a. and wiil try to be a police officer to help my comunity.hello to all my brothers and siters in blue.god bless you all.from - lopez.p.a.
Gombino

over 3 years ago

2660 Comments

True Heros! RIP Constable. Prayers for the family.
copper380

over 3 years ago

2026 Comments

Thank you for your efforts in trying to save Constable Czapnic. The EMT's are HEROS. My prayers go out to the family of Constable Czapnic and the RCMP. You may not have been able to save Constable Czapnic but it is your efforts that make you all Heros. God Bless your soul Constable, RIP Brother.
MidnightMike

over 3 years ago

470 Comments

Thanks so much to the medics who came to this officer's aid. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.
fletc

over 3 years ago

182 Comments

More here as well:

[url]http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Suspended+RCMP+officer+Kevin+Gregson...[/url]
fletc

over 3 years ago

182 Comments

Check this out:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2007/04/03/rcmp-bishop.html?ref=rss

WTF?
NahKota

over 3 years ago

2 Comments

My heart goes out to him and his family, as much Thank You and Gratitude goes to or Medics for trying to save his life. I Thank You for the effort for trying to save one of us. GOD BLESS
bob33

over 3 years ago

40 Comments

i thought is was sad how some one could do the horrible act and kill some one. think the perdimacs being at the right place at the right time
aussie4

over 3 years ago

5328 Comments

This story brought tears to my eyes. God Bless Leo Czapnik and his family. Obviously this request goes out to the brave paramedics that assisted in the best manner that they could. It appears to me that the former Leo, now known as a murderer should not be amongst the living. I am prould of many of those of you in P/L with the out pouring of care to all fallen people, Leo's or not, I salute you one and all.