The Daily Observer
CONST. PHIL
SHRIVE
Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 19:00
Local News
-
RENFREW A Renfrew OPP
constable died Friday afternoon in Ottawa hospital from injuries he received in
an accident on Highway 17 late last week.
Senior Constable Phil Shrive was on duty on May 16 when he was driving westbound
in a marked OPP cruiser, about three kilometres past Bruce Street.
Constable Shrive attempted to make a U-turn to stop an eastbound vehicle and his
vehicle was struck in the driver¹s side by a tractor trailer.
An off-duty paramedic was on the scene immediately and Constable Shrive was
taken to Renfrew Victoria Hospital and then airlifted to Ottawa.
The driver of the transport was not injured.
Canada NewsWire
BARRIE, ON, May 24 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police has lost one ofits most experienced and well-liked members with the death on Friday May 23rdof Senior Constable Phil Shrive, age 49. He was the local Renfrew-area (Branch10) President for the Ontario Provincial Police Association, (O.P.P.A.), and had also served as President of O.P.P. branches in the Ottawa and Timmins areas. Senior Constable Shrive died in hospital in as a result of injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision on May 16th while on duty near Renfrew. "It is with deep regret that we mourn Phil's passing, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Karen and children Neil, Karen, Graham and Rebecca," said O.P.P.A. provincial President Brian Adkin."As a branch President, Phil was a strong advocate for his members and his leadership abilities at the Spring and Annual General Meetings of the OPPA were reinforced by his extensive experience in numerous postings and assignments throughout the province," Adkin added. Senior Constable Shrive began his policing career with the OPP in September, 1974. A police funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 27th in Renfrew. In urging as many members of the OPP to attend as possible, Adkin noted, "it is always tragic when one of our members is killed, but it strikes home especially when it is one of our Presidents, who we have known so well and had so many meetings and discussions with over the years." The O.P.P.A. represents over 7,500 Ontario Provincial Police uniformed and civilian members who provide community-based policing and specialized policing services to residents in over 460 municipalities across Ontario.
Daughter Karen Shrive leaving the funeral
LOCAL
NEWS Thousands mourn officer killed in car crash Adjacent churches needed to
accommodate crowd  Nicholas Kohler The Ottawa Citizen Wednesday, May 28, 2003
CREDIT: Lynn Ball, The Ottawa Citizen  RENFREW -- Nearly 3,000 police
officers from across Canada descended on Renfrew yesterday to say good-bye to a
29-year veteran OPP officer and father of four. Sr. Const. Phil Shrive died
Friday from injuries sustained after a tractor trailer plowed into his police
cruiser May 16 -- only eight days before he was eligible to retire. On duty at
the time, Sr. Const. Shrive was making a U-turn to pull over a motorist when the
collision took place. He was 49. Two adjacent churches were required to
accommodate the mourners, who included Ontario Premier Ernie Eves, provincial
Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty and Public Security Minister Bob Runciman. Police
officers of all description marched to the sombre beat of drums and to the wail
of bagpipes amidst the flags and regalia flying outside of Renfrew's Trinity St.
Andrew's United Church -- the principal site of the service. Police don't talk
about the dangers they face day after day in the line of duty, said Sr. Const.
Shrive's older brother and fellow police officer, Chief Const. Paul Shrive, of
the Port Moody Police Department in British Columbia. "But you learn to expect
those things," he added through teary eyes after what was an emotional funeral.
It was Paul who, in 1974, presented his brother with the badge and warrant card
that brought him into the OPP. Sr. Const. Shrive's career with the OPP included
a mix of assignments around Ontario, beginning with a rookie tour of duty in
Sioux Lookout, Ont. and ending in Renfrew. A branch president of the Ontario
Provincial Police Association from 1993 to 2003, Sr. Const. Shrive achieved
widespread admiration from his fellow police for his commitment to front-line
officers. Eulogies described him as a man who "liked the trenches," who strove
to protect the police "soldiers" he so identified with -- and as a man who had
the "ability to get under management's skin" to do it. "I am really proud of
him," said his brother. "The biggest thing that he taught me -- and he taught me
again and again -- is to listen to the members." Staff Sgt. Brian Adkin,
president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, remembered Sr. Const.
Shrive's sense of humour -- and how he used it to support his fellow police
officers. If he felt his colleagues on night shift were getting a raw deal, Sr.
Const. Shrive told management: "I just want to let you know that there's life
after 5 o'clock in the OPP," Staff Sgt. Adkin recalled. Sr. Const. Shrive loved
airplanes, both the fixed-wing variety he was licensed to fly and the
radio-controlled model aircraft he built himself. He was, one eulogist said,
"always scheming" to get another set of wings. "Well, Phil," the eulogist added:
"I see you've acquired another set." Sr. Const. Shrive leaves his wife, Karen,
and children Neil, Karen, Graham and Rebecca. © Copyright  2003 The Ottawa
Citizen Â