By Zev Singer, OTTAWA CITIZEN November 18, 2013 10:48 PM

Ottawa Police Acting Inspector Michel Marin speaks to media regarding a man who was killed Sunday afternoon in an accident on 8th Line Road, south of Parkway Road. The man, in his 30s, was driving by himself when his Honda Civic collided with a Dodge Caravan. Authorities said the man was trapped in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene, which is just east of the village of Greely.

 

OTTAWA — The Ottawa police officer killed in a collision on his way to work Sunday afternoon was thought of as a man with a “very, very bright future” and as an “exceptional investigator,” according to the chiefs he worked under.

Const. Mike Robillard, a husband and father of a three-year-old boy, was killed in a crash on 8th Line Road when his car collided with a minivan. The 32-year-old had been with the Ottawa police for the last four years after transferring from the Cornwall police, where he served his first five years in uniform.

Chief Daniel Parkinson of the Cornwall police said Monday that Robillard was one of the first two officers he hired after becoming chief.

“When Mike was here, he was a young man with a very, very bright future and I think that future was continuing to be demonstrated in his career in Ottawa,” said Parkinson, who added that Robillard had the talent to become a very senior officer.

“He sought out added responsibility as a member of our tactical containment team, which required a whole lot of discipline, fitness and availability — interruption and disruption to home life, perhaps.

“But Mike was a very, very positive member here, one who always left a very positive impression on those he engaged with and worked with,” Parkinson said.

The flags at police headquarters in Ottawa were at half-staff Monday in Robillard’s honour.

“He was an exceptional investigator who was proud to be a police officer and had passions not only for his family and policing, but baseball, music, and life in general,” Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau said in a statement.

He said Robillard was “a loving husband” to his wife, Alyson, and “proud father“ to his son, Ben.

Robillard was most recently working as a detective in Ottawa’s east division district investigations section.

During his time in Cornwall, the chief received a number of letters from members of the public praising the officer’s work.

The Cornwall force has about 90 sworn members and Parkinson says he still remembers his discussion with Robillard before the young officer left for Ottawa.

“I remember him coming to me with tears in his eyes about the fact that he was leaving here,” Parkinson said. “But he did it for the right reasons. Mike explained that his wife’s family was based in Ottawa and this would allow him to be closer to her family. He just started out with a brand new child when he left us.”

Parkinson said that while Robillard was not killed in the line of duty, “he was responding to his call to duty. He was certainly on his way to work to fulfil those responsibilities to the citizens of Ottawa as a police officer to help keep them safe.”

With files from Carys Mills

zsinger@ottawacitizen.com

 

Commentary

Mike Robillard was a well liked and respected member of the Ottawa Police. His loss will be felt by the public, his workmates and his family.

Condolances to all.

OttawaMensCentre