Family, friends, police officers from around the country, Ontario officials, as well as the general public, paid their respects on Wednesday to a veteran officer who died following a motorcycle crash while on duty in Cobourg last week.
Sgt. Malcolm, 33, died on April 27 after crashing while operating a police motorcycle on Highway 401 near Burnham Street North in Cobourg. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police funeral service for Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sgt. Brandon Malcolm was held at the Cobourg Community Centre. It was attended by Sgt. Malcolm’s family and guests, members of the OPP, emergency services and officials.
“While the world sees a hero in uniform, I was lucky enough to know the man behind it. The one who laughed at the smallest things, who loved deeply, who made everyday feel extraordinary just being in it,” Sgt. Malcolm’s wife said at the service.
Another family member also spoke of the person he was in his private life.
“As his brother, I am proud of the man he became, proud of the life he built, proud of the way he carried himself both in and out of uniform. I wish we had more time …but I’m grateful for the time we had, for the memories, the competitions, check-ins, and the bond that never really left no matter how busy life got,” he said.
Premier Doug Ford, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont were also among the speakers at the service.
“All of Ontario grieves with you in the face of this terrible loss,” Premier Ford said addressing the family.
He then spoke to everyone at the service, saying, “Sgt. Malcolm dedicated his life to serving our country, our province, and the community here at Northumberland. Very few people in this country could ever say they served all three.”
“Sgt. Malcolm’s lifelong goal was to become a police officer and his life was dedicated to public service, is one we should all aspire to.”
Ford said the officer “represented the best of Ontario — bravery, compassion, and a commitment to leave his community better than he found it.”
Malcolm joined the OPP in 2020 and served his entire career with the Northumberland detachment. He was a member of the OPP’s Golden Helmets – an elite precision motorcycle riding team that performed at public events and functions. Malcolm also served as an auxiliary member of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and as a combat engineer with the Canadian Armed Forces.
OPP Commissioner Carrique said Sgt. Malcom was “a rapidly rising young leader whose experience and contributions far exceeded his years of service. Whatever he did, he was all in, giving it his all.”
“A general law enforcement officer, a crime detective, a uniform sergeant, and a Golden Helmet. His knowledge, skill and pride set the standard that inspired others to be like Brandon. His commitment to and care for his members and teammates distinguished him as a leader from day one.”
Below funeral program:
While the funeral service was not open to the general public for in-person attendance, a designated viewing area was set up to view the funeral cortege as it arrived at the Cobourg Community Centre. Members of the public were also able to watch the funeral via a livestream on the OPP website and at the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall in Cobourg.
Ahead of the service the funeral cortege travelled east on Hwy. 401 from Stevenson Road South in Oshawa, exiting at Division Street in Cobourg, and arrived at the Cobourg Community Centre around 9:30 a.m.
The public was also able to join first responders in paying their respects from one of the overpasses along Highway 401 between Stevenson Road South and Division Street. The OPP advised members of the public to avoid obstructing traffic or stopping on the highway to exit their vehicle.
Starting at around 9 a.m., OPP officers began marching from Kerr Street, north on D’Arcy Street, to the Cobourg Community Centre. They were stationed along D’Arcy Street to honour the funeral cortege as it passed by. Members of the public were also able to watch the procession on the sidewalk along the west side of D’Arcy Street.
The OPP had closed stretches of West Street, D’Arcy Street, Kerr Street and Ewart Street for the police procession and funeral service.
Last Thursday, dozens of officers from multiple OPP units lined the street outside the Centre of Forensic Sciences in North York, while members of the mounted and motorcycle units were on hand, as well as the ceremonial honour guard, accompanying him on the way to Oshawa ahead of his funeral.
Along the way, police officers, first responders and civilians gathered on some of the highway’s overpasses. As a sign of respect, the RCAF flew one of its Search and Rescue helicopters above the procession.
A book of condolences is available online at opp.ca/news, where members of the public can leave messages for Malcolm’s family and colleagues.
With files from Lucas Casaletto, CityNews