Officers of 22 Division have joined their Canadian police colleagues in mourning the loss of Calgary policeman Andrew Harnett, who was killed on New Year’s Eve in a hit and run crash.

For Toronto Const. Matthew Saade, who now works at 51 Division, it was a emotional time as he has previously worked with Harnett, who has been working as a Calgary cop for 12-years.

Sgt. Harnett, 37, was his partner for six years during his stint in Calgary.

Saade was photographed saluting the Canadian flag, which has been flying at half-mast outside the downtown station.

Toronto Police Chief Jim Ramer, on behalf of his officers, expressed condolences to Harnett’s family.

“I want to express our deepest condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Sargent Harnett,” the Chief said.
A police webpage was filled with hundreds of regrets and condolences for Harnett and his family and friends from officers from across Canada and the U.S.

It was on December 31 just before 11 p.m., when Harnett had pulled over the vehicle after running the license plate and discovering it didn’t match the SUV.

He spoke with both the driver and passenger before the vehicle fled, striking and dragging Harnett, who was described by Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld as a “highly decorated” 12-year member of the Calgary Police Service.

Despite the “desperate” attempts of fellow officers and paramedics, Harnett died at the scene, according to Calgary police.

Two men, one 17 and the other, 19, have since turned themselves in. Police had issued a province-wide dragnet for their arrests. They face first degree murder charges in the death of the officer.

Officer Harnett is remembered as having a “passion to serve,” and his love for policing developed during his early years in his hometown of Hagersville.

“He was born to be a police officer and he knew it,” his brother Jason Harnett told CTV News. “He just had a passion to serve. There was right and wrong, and he really believed in that.”

Harnett was a volunteer member of Crime Stoppers while a student at Hagersville Secondary School. He also served as a military police officer.

He is the 12th officer to be killed in the history of the Calgary Police Service, dating back to 1878. The last officer who lost his life while on duty was Const. Darren Beatty, who died in 2001 during a training exercise.

Funeral arrangements are being finalized.