A procession is set to begin for fallen Toronto officer Const. Marc Pinizzotto in North York. CP24’s Melissa Duggan has the latest.

A procession honouring fallen Toronto police officer Const. Marc Pinizzotto is now underway as colleagues escort him from the Office of the Chief Coroner in North York to a funeral home in Thornhill.

In a news release, officials said the procession was scheduled to begin at approximately 3 p.m. It officially began moving at around 3:30 p.m.

Procession to funeral home Const. Pinizzotto June 14 A procession to a Thornhill funeral home for fallen Toronto police officer Const. Marc Pinizzotto got underway around 3:30 p.m. on June 14

According to Toronto Police Service, the motorcade will depart from the Office of the Chief Coroner at 25 Morton Shulman Ave. and travel westbound on Sir William Hearst Avenue, northbound on Morton Shulman Avenue, eastbound on Wilson Avenue, and northbound on Yonge Street to Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home at 8088 Yonge St.

Police are asking that only TPS-approved vehicles and authorized members participate in the procession.

Members of the public planning to attend are also being asked not to obstruct traffic or stop on roadways along the route.

‘We’ll never forget about Marc and his family’: TPA

Among those attending Sunday’s procession was Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, which represents which represents more than 8,000 police and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service.

“What a turnout. You know, it’s all about Marc and his family. He’s a hero. Marc’s a hero,” Campbell said.

“And when most of us were sleeping in bed, he was out there executing a higher high-risk search warrant, and it cost him his life.”

Clayton Campbell, TPA president, June 14 procession Pinizzotto Clayton Campbell, president of the Toronto Police Association, speaks with CP24 during a procession for fallen Toronto police officer Const. Marc Pinizzotto on June 14.

Campbell said he had the honour of being part of the motorcade that transported the fallen officer from the scene of the incident in North York to the Corner’s Office on Thursday afternoon, saying that difficult times like these are when members of the service always come together.

“At the Toronto Police Association, we never forget members who were killed in the line of duty, Jeffrey Northrup, Andrew Hong, Laura Ellis, that was killed in the early 2000s, we don’t forget about them and we’ll never forget about Mark and his family,” he said.

The union president went on to say that the fatal shooting of Const. Pinizzotto has caused feelings of devastation, and sadness, but also anger and pride.

“You know, we have police officers been murdered, the suspect is still alive. So those are some of the challenging thoughts you have inside, but I think pride, you look at this, how can you not feel pride? How can you not have chills down your spine when you’re involved in something like this, and we’re just here proud to support our members here today,” said Campbell, adding that members of Ponizzotto’s unit were back on the job the night their colleague was killed because they had calls for “firearms and violence” to respond to.

“They’re working there today, and it’s just absolutely amazing, and we’re just so proud to represent them.”

Pinizzotto was a long-serving Toronto police officer

An 18-year member of the Emergency task Force, Pinizzotto was also a married father of two and a former elite hockey player.

He was shot and killed while he and his fellow officers with the Emergency Task Force were executing a search warrant in North York on June 11.

Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto is shown with his wife and children in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – X, @TorontoPolice (Mandatory Credit) Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto is shown with his wife and children in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout – X, @TorontoPolice (Mandatory Credit)

Pinizzotto’s death has prompted an outpouring of support from fellow officers, community members, and elected officials.

Books of condolence available

The service has also announced books of condolence will be available for members of the public wishing to pay their respects.

A book of condolence will be available at Toronto Police Headquarters, 40 College St., from June 15 to June 26 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Visitors will be required to pass through a security screening before entering the building.

Additional books of condolence are available at 23 Division, located at 5230 Finch Ave. W., and 33 Division, located at 50 Upjohn Rd., from June 13 to June 26 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., including weekends.

People can also pay their respects to the fall officer online.