An upcoming bridge dedication ceremony will honour Constable Thomas J. Black, a Woodstock Police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1962.
WOODSTOCK - Woodstock Police and the Ministry of Transportation will be dedicating a bridge to a fallen local officer from the 1960's.
On October 17th in 1962 Constable Thomas J. Black lost his life while he was trying to track down two Ontario Hospital patients that had left the facility without permission. Black and another constable were dealing with the men, a struggle ensued and one of the patients took control of Black's pistol and shot him. He was just shy of his 34th birthday and left behind his wife Nelda and three children.
The Highway 401 bridge at Mill Street in Woodstock will be dedicated in his memory. The MTO program states...
"With 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."
Woodstock Police Chief Bill Renton says they are honoured to recognize Constable Thomas J. Black.
"The recognition is long overdue and that recognizing Cst. Thomas Black is very fitting as he was certainly a courageous and selfless police officer who paid the ultimate price while protecting the community that he loved"
The Bridge Dedication Ceremony will take place on Thursday November 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Goff Hall in the Woodstock District Community Complex. Members of the public are welcome to join the Black family, their friends and dignitaries as they honour Constable Thomas J. Black.

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