York Regional Police
August 2, 2007
Detective Constable Robert Plunkett had proudly served York Regional Police for more than two decades when he was killed on duty in the early morning hours of August 2, 2007.
Detective Constable Plunkett and a group of plainclothes officers were conducting surveillance on the drivers of two vehicles near Ascot Crescent and Harvest Moon Drive in Markham. One vehicle, a gold Honda, was believed to be stolen and the driver of the vehicle was seen opening the driver’s side door and removing the car’s airbag.
When Detective Constable Plunkett attempted to arrest the driver for theft, the suspect reversed the vehicle and accelerated over a curb, across a lawn and over several shrubs. Detective Constable Plunkett was pinned between the open driver’s side door and the vehicle as it struck a tree. He was thrown from the car as the suspect continued to reverse across the lawn.
Assisting officers rammed the vehicle and arrested the suspect as he attempted to flee. A second suspect, driving a white Honda, also attempted to flee but was arrested nearby. Detective Constable Plunkett was rushed to Scarborough Grace Hospital, where tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.
Over 22 years with the police service, Detective Constable Plunkett had worked in a uniform capacity in #2 and #5 District, serving Richmond Hill and Markham. He also served as a tactical officer in the Emergency Response Unit. During the 1990s, Detective Constable Plunkett was the co-ordinator for the York Regional Police Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics and in 2000 he acted as the co-chair of the Ontario Special Olympic Spring Games.