A retired Abbotsford Police sergeant and former media spokesperson has been identified as the vicim of a fatal head-on crash Saturday in Nanaimo.
Shinder Kirk was the driver of a Chevy pickup truck that was involved in a collision with a Ford pickup at about 1:50 p.m. on Cedar Road near Cedar Bridge.
Nanaimo RCMP said two passengers from the Chevy were airlifted to hospital, with one taken to Vancouver and the other to Victoria. Their injuries were serious but not life-threatening, according to police.
The 22-year-old male driver of the Ford and his adult female passenger suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.
RCMP said no causes for the crash have yet been determined, but the investigation will continue, including mechanical inspections of the vehicles involved.
Investigators said they do not believe that alcohol or speed were contributing factors, but weather and road conditions have not been ruled out.
A GoFundMe campaign indicates that the passengers in Kirk’s vehicle were his wife and adult daughter. The page (search “Tragic Holiday Accident” at gofundme.com) was set up to raise money for his daughter, who suffered a broken leg, broken wrist and other injuries and will be unable to work.
Kirk began his policing career with the Vancouver Police Department in 1981, moving 10 years later to the Abbotsford Police Department.
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He was serving as a motorcycle cop and was filling in as a back-up media officer before being asked to take over the position full-time in 2000.
Kirk’s affable and calm manner soon earned him praise and respect from the media and the public alike.
He later became the media spokesperson for the RCMP Integrated Gang Task Force and then the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU).
In 2012, he announced his retirement after more than 30 years of policing.
He continued to live in Abbotsford with his wife Wendy, with whom he had two daughters.
Tributes to Kirk have been pouring in on social media, including from Premier John Horgan.
“He was a warm and caring man, dedicated to fighting gang violence, and a much admired leader in the South Asian community,” he said on Twitter.
Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr wrote that the department had “lost a brother” and described Kirk as “a true gentleman who will be missed.”
Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, the current CFSEU spokesperson, also posted on Twitter.
“Shinder Kirk was professional, dedicated and passionate about making our communities safe from gang violence … We will miss him,” she said.
A tweet from the Surrey RCMP described Kirk as “a truly kind and dedicated police officer and amazing person,” while the CFSEU’s gang intervention team described him as “leader in gang prevention and intervention.”
My heart is with everyone grieving the loss of retired Abbotsford police officer Shinder Kirk. He was a warm & caring man, dedicated to fighting gang violence, & a much admired leader in the South Asian community. My condolences to his family, friends & Abbotsford Police force.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) December 24, 2018
Yesterday our @AbbyPoliceDept family lost a brother. We are there for Shinder's family during this very difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Shinder at the Integrated Gang Task Force & #AbbyPD. A true gentlemen who will be missed - Rest in Peace brother. #Respect pic.twitter.com/XiZ5h86wV1
— Mike Serr (@ChiefSerr) December 24, 2018
Shinder Kirk was a professional, dedicated, and passionate about making our communities safe from gang violence. The thoughts of all of us at the CFSEU-BC go out to Shinder’s family and those who knew Shinder at this tragic time. We will miss him.
— Sgt Brenda Winpenny (@CfseuMRO) December 24, 2018
You will be greatly missed Shinder. A truly kind and dedicated police officer & amazing person. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and @AbbyPoliceDept @cfseubc. https://t.co/hpTtV70FDi
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) December 24, 2018
– with files from the Nanaimo News Bulletin
@VikkiHopes
vhopes@abbynews.com
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