York Regional Police
June 28, 2011
Constable Garrett Styles was a seven-year veteran of York Regional Police when he died in the line of duty June 28, 2011. He came from a proud policing family that included his father, retired Staff Sergeant Garry Styles, who served with York Regional Police for 33 years and his cousin, Constable Joe Styles, who serves on patrol in #2 District.
Constable Styles had been conducting routine patrol at 5:00 a.m. when he spotted a van driving dangerously and engaged the vehicle in a traffic stop near the intersection of Herald Road and Highway 48. He approached the driver’s side window and found several youths inside, including a 15-year-old driver. As he spoke to the driver the van suddenly accelerated, dragging Constable Styles approximately 400 meters. The vehicle rolled over, trapping Constable Styles underneath it. Even as he lay injured, trapped beneath the vehicle, Constable Styles radioed dispatch and expressed concern for the condition of the youths in the van. Police and Emergency Medical Services workers arrived on scene and transported the occupants and Constable Styles to Southlake Regional Health Centre. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.
Constable Styles served the communities of Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury and King Township as a member of #1 District uniform patrol. He previously worked out of #2 District where he served Richmond Hill. He is survived by his wife Melissa, a Records Validator with York Regional Police, and his two small children, Meredith and Nolan.