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A Hero Remembered And Honoured

(Submitted) Thomas J. Black

A bridge dedication ceremony honours fallen Cst. Thomas J. Black.

WOODSTOCK - From this point on the Mill Street Bridge at the 401 in Woodstock will be dedicated to a fallen officer. 

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has approved the dedication of bridge to honour fallen Woodstock Police Officer, Cst. Thomas J. Black. The MTO bridge dedication program says it is a gesture of respect.

"Bridge dedications are intended to posthumously recognize police officers that have courageously and unselfishly given their lives in the line of duty to preserve our free and peaceful society.”

A dedication ceremony happened this morning at Goff Hall. 

Chief Bill Renton says the  recognition is long overdue and that recognizing Cst. Thomas Black is very fitting, as he was a courageous and selfless police officer, who paid the ultimate price while protecting the community that he loved.

Just shy of his 34th birthday, Black died back in 1962 after he had a struggle with a man who was one of two men that escaped from local hospital.  Black was shot and killed after one of the patients from the hospital took control of Cst.Black's gun and shot him in the line of duty.

His Grandaughter Kayla Skevington describes what it was like to see her grandfather honoured today. 

"It was overwhelming but it was a beautiful tribute to him and the man that he was. We didn't get to know him but what we heard of him it was pretty incredible to see."

Black was described as a wonderful family man, a great athlete and a dedicated officer, he left behind wife Nelda and three children. 
 

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