Another policeman lost his life-this time under the strangest of circumstances. May his soul rest in perpetual peace.
Superintendent Allison Byfield, head of the St Thomas police, said her officers were sad and heartbroken after the brutal murder of one of their colleagues, District Constable Mark Anthony Forsythe. Forsythe was shot and killed by unknown assailants.
He was attached to the Trinityville Police Station in Seaforth. And according to preliminary reports, the shooters shot him three times in the head and chest before escaping. The incident occurred at about 3 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023, in Seaforth.
According to Superintendent Byfield, residents of York District in St Thomas reportedly expressed concerns about suspicious characters in the area, and Forsythe called a patrol team close by for assistance. While the team was en route, he accosted one of the men, and the man pulled a gun and opened gunfire at him. The unarmed DC received three bullets to his head and the chest.
The police Corporate Communication office confirmed that a patrol team responding to the incident took Forsythe to the hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Superintendent Byfield had high regard for the fallen officer. She said he was an exceptional policeman who prided himself on punctuality, efficiency, and helpfulness.
“It is a tough one for my staff at this time. We are trying to process what really happened, and the memories of Mr. Forsythe will linger with us for a very long time based on the type of person he was. Always on call, readily accessible, and completes assignments. That was Mr. Forsythe,” she said. The senior cop added that Forsythe was amiable.
Superintendent Byfield–St Thomas Police
“Mr. Forsythe was a policeman before he was actually sworn as a policeman because of his love for policing and policing activities. His ability to get along with people, garner information and do social activities was unmatched. He was really a people person. He was actually manager for the St Thomas Police Division football team,” she said.
Superintendent Byfield–St Thomas Police