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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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fsa0033

over 3 years ago

324 Comments

That last sentence really kicked me hard. His assailant was a Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Const. Czapnik was killed by one of his own. I don't know what he was suspended for but now he should be placed in prison for the rest of his life. Any assets should go to Czapnik's family. I pray for Czapnik. You rest in peace constable.
napd270

over 3 years ago

72 Comments

My deepest condolences to Const. Czapnik"s family, friends, and department. To the very end Const. Czapnik was thinking of someone else by thanking them. To the Paramedics that were involved, they are true HEROS. They diffently went above the call of duty.
nnel

over 3 years ago

2 Comments

Why do so many of our police officers have to die? Don't people realize that they are only there to protect and serve? When danger hits, people run away from the danger but police officers run towards the danger to protect the innocent. Give new meaning to the ad that said "GOOD PEOPLE WANTED FOR AN UNGRATEFULL JOB". Rest in peace. I salute you!
Mikeh2000

over 3 years ago

6 Comments

RIP brother, from a serving UK officer
vnoland662

over 3 years ago

4 Comments

AND THANKS TO THE PARAMEDICS THAT RISK THEIR LIFE TRYING TO SAVE HIS. I AM BOTH A MEDIC AND A COP AND BOTH FIELDS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
vnoland662

over 3 years ago

4 Comments

RIP, MY FELLOW BROTHER IN BLUE.
Ladyhawke

over 3 years ago

64 Comments

OMG, how incredibly sad! Const. Czapnik mortally injured, fighting for his life and he thinks of the brave EMT's to say "thank you".
God Bless him and his family and the EMTS.
beeguy

over 3 years ago

466 Comments

cudos to the paramedics. They too stand in the face of danger to protect and save lives. Special "atta boy" to the female paramedic who made an attempt to remove him from the gene pool with a well placed kick. Darwin would be proud. Good job to all who helped our fallen friend. Again, it's a war out there, we all need to be extra alert.
sandmike

over 3 years ago

346 Comments

My heartfelt thanks to the paramedics for doing all they could for this valiant and humble Constable. Not only did you capture and subdue his attacker, you provided compassionate aid to a mortally wounded man, and I'm sure comforted him in his passing.
paulzoc

over 3 years ago

2 Comments

RIP brother
CMBustle

over 3 years ago

4 Comments

Rest in Peace our dear brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Praise to the heroic performance of the paramedics!
BklynsFinest347

over 3 years ago

2014 Comments

RIP
djs2v

over 3 years ago

5630 Comments

RIP brother.
GMcAvin

over 3 years ago

152 Comments

You only wish things like this happen in Texas wherein he would get true justice for this horrendous act. Man this is really sad...and may that POS that killed this LEO die a thousands deaths. "Cowards die a thousand deaths. The valiant taste of death but once."
William Shakespeare. May the members of this LEO's family and friends be comforted from Heaven's Shining Portal! RIP Officer Czapnik...valiant in life!
wiseass0282

over 3 years ago

10988 Comments

I can't find the words to express my feeling after reading this story. RIP Const. Czapnik, and may the person who did this to you Rot in Hell.