Dedication Ceremony Of
Sgt. Ron McKean Bridge
The Town of Collingwood has honoured the late Sgt. Ron McKean, by dedicating the bridge over the Pretty River along the Pretty River Parkway to his memory. A special dedication ceremony was held on Saturday, October 24th at 11am
McKean's son, Collingwood OPP Constable Trevor McKean, spoke at the dedication ceremony. At times emotional, McKean talked of how his father wanted to make Collingwood a better and safer place for its citizens to live and raise families.
"It was 32 years ago that my father was murdered while on police duty. He was 33 years old. He had been promoted to Sergeant about a year before his death. He wanted to make a difference in this community, to make Collingwood a safer place for all of us. He was a husband and a father of three children (Linda, Christopher and Trevor). He had many, many life-long friends in this community. He loved playing hockey, skiing, fishing and hunting. He loved his friends and he loved his family" McKean said.
"I have many fond memories of the time I spent with him ... and the truth is, he was taken from us far too young. I would like to thank the town and community for honouring him this way." McKean added.
Sergeant McKean and his partner Constable Cliff Lipsett were working a regular shift in Collingwood on the evening of October 12, 1977. The officers had received information concerning an escapee from Warkworth Penitentiary, Gerald Chater. The report indicated that the escapee and a friend were seen loitering near the main entrance of the Anchor Inn, a Collingwood bar and restaurant. The friend was identified as William Fredrick. Fredrick had escaped from Collins Bay Maximum Security Federal Prison. He and Chater had committed a knife point robbery of a Collingwood Gas Station on October 10, 1977. Sergeant McKean arrived first and came face-to-face with the suspects. Chater broke away anf dled and a scuffle took place with Fredrick who drew a shot gun from his pants and fired at McKean, killing him instantly. He fled the scene but was arrested the next day.
On September 19, 1978, William Fredrick plead guilty to First Degree Murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for 25 years.
Sergeant Ronald E. McKean served with the Collingwood Police Department from March 19, 1944 to October 12, 1977.
Constable Trevor McKean, Collingwood OPP, Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper
Anne Gage (McKean) and Christopher McKean