Chatham-Kent’s first Police Chief has passed away. 
John Kopinak began his policing career in 1968 in Port Colborne. He went on to serve with the Niagara Regional force, worked for the Solicitor General’s office, and Canadian Police College, and was a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico.
Outside of policing, Kopinak also worked for CP Rail and owned the Port Colborne Sailors hockey franchise.
Current Chief Gary Conn calls Kopinak the architect of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, serving with the force until his retirement in 2003.
“Chief Kopinak had the arduous task of amalgamating the Dresden, Chatham Wallaceburg and Tilbury services, while patrolling one of the largest geographical municipalities in the province and keeping costs below the provincial average.”
He passed away yesterday after a short battle with cancer at the age of 71.
Visitation will be held at McKinley Funeral Home in Chatham on Thursday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, followed by a funeral mass at St Joseph’s Church at 1:30pm on Friday.
