Windsor's Honour Guard pays respects to police officers who made 'ultimate sacrifice'

For six years, Sgt. Deler Bal has been a member of the Windsor Police Service's (WPS) Honour Guard,and one of his key responsibilities has been attending police funerals throughout Canada and the United States as a local representativeconsidered a deep privilege.

Members of the WPS Honour Guard have attended funerals for the last nine officer line of duty deaths in Canada including the funerals of the two officers who were killed in Edmonton last month.

"It's obviously a very sombre moment. It's an opportunity to reflect, it's an opportunity to pay our respects to a police officers who've paid the ultimate sacrifice," Balexplained.

"It's close to our heart."

WATCH | Sgt. Deler speaks with CBC's Katerina Georgieva about what it's like serving on the Honour Guard:

What is it like to be a member of the Windsor Police Honour Guard?

2 years ago

Duration 2:46

Sgt. Deler Bel shares what it's like being a unit sergeant for the Honour Guard. He speaks with CBC's Katerina Georgieva.

Bal most recently attended the Barrie, Ont., funeral for two South Simcoe police officers who were fatally shotin Innisfil, Ont. in October, and will be attending Thursday's funeral in Trois-Rivires, Que.,for a provincial police officer killed during an attempted arrest.

"I can tell you that the emotions, the feeling of camaraderie as well, when you do attend these police funerals is something very special. And it's an opportunity again for us to be present there, and it's an opportunity to understand that the policing family at large gets impacted," he said.

"So whether there is a police officer line of duty death in Edmonton, it impacts on some level or another an officer on the other side of the country in some way."

Though there is an impact, Bal stresses that it doesn't affect how an officer responds to a call for service.

"There are some inherent risks associated with policing. But I can tell you that the rewards of this policing profession far and away outweigh the risks that are associated to it."

As for how he's preparing for this week's funeral in Quebec, Bal explained that at the forefront is always remembering that it is is a privilege to attend.

"It's an honour no pun intended to actually attend those events," he said.

"it's a moment to just reflect on the importance of life and on this craft of policing."

The Honour Guard unit is assigned at the discretion of the chief of police, and beyond attending funerals for fallen officers, members also take part in events like parades, presentation of colours, andswearing-in ceremonies of new auxiliary recruits.