Bennett bridge honour 59th memorial for OPP officers

ORILLIA — There’s a new sign to watch for here on Hwy. 11.

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A memorial sign honouring Const. George Bennett was unveiled Thursday at Hawk Ridge Golf Course by police and his family. (OPP photo)

Thursday,  the bridge at Burnside Line/West Street overpass was officially dedicated in honour of OPP Const. George Bennett, 38 years after he died while on duty.

Bennett joined the Ontario Provincial Police in 1975. He was posted to the Brechin Detachment before transferring to Orillia. On February 12, 1980, while on snowmobile patrol in Severn Townshi, he struck a rock and was thrown from the snowmobile. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries later that day.

Memorial signs are now posted in his memory.

Bridge dedications are an important act of remembrance which will help preserve the memory of a fallen OPP officer, say police.

“It is very gratifying for his family, friends and members of the OPP that Constable Bennett be remembered with this honour. This bridge memorial serves as a reminder of his life and his service.”  J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes, Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police.

Since 2002, Ontario has permitted bridges and other highway structures to be dedicated in memory of fallen police officers.

There are now 59 bridges dedicated to fallen OPP officers in Ontario.

Several signs on Hwy. 11 north and south of the West Street/Burnside bridge and on it honour the OPP officer who died in a snowmobile accident in 1980 in Severn Township. (TODAY photo)