Plaque honouring fallen firefighter damaged by vandals
Barrie police are investigating after vandals defaced a plaque honouring a fallen hero, with derogatory imaging etched onto the sides.
"We are saddened and disappointed that someone would make an effort to damage such an important monument that recognizes our colleague and friend Billy Wilkins," said Chief Corey Mainprize, Barrie Fire Services.
Firefighter William (Billy) Wilkins died on May 27, 2002, while responding to a house fire in the area of Anne Street North and Livingston Street West in Barrie.
The 32-year-old became the city's fourth firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty.
"He cared about his community, and he always did the best he could as a firefighter and always cared about the people he served," said Mainprize.
A recognition ceremony was held in honour of William Jonathan Wilkins.
Just over two decades after Wilkins's death, on September 16 the community of Barrie came together to honour the fallen firefighter by naming a local park after him, along with a monument built in his memory.
"It is a space that our team and members could go to and remember Billy and take a moment to honour him, along with those who would walk by and see the plaque," said Mainprize.
The City of Barrie said it was notified the monument had been damaged with multiple scratches containing what it says were inappropriate images.
"What was done to that plaque is totally unacceptable. Damage was done to it unnecessarily by individuals who don't seem to care about what Bill's sacrifice means to the community and his firefighting community," said Peter Leon, Barrie Police Services.
Barrie police added they do not believe the incident was targeted in nature.
"It is just incredibly disappointing that someone would vandalize it. Someone just made a very poor decision," said Mainprize.
According to the City, the plaque was removed for repairs, which are expected to take several weeks.
Police are appealing for information and asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.