20th Anniversary Video

John Petropoulos Memorial Fund 20th Anniversary Video – Ready to View!

“If you change nothing, nothing will change.”

- Tony Robbins

In honour of the 20th anniversary of John’s death on Sept 29th, 2020, the JPMF is releasing a special 20th anniversary video. A huge heartfelt thank you to the Calgary Police Service Video Unit for producing this beautiful video!

It is a wonderful tribute to John and highlights the achievements of the JPMF over the past two decades. 

You can view the anniversary video (7 min) on the JPMF You Tube Channel. 

Enjoy! 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

Fallen Officer Memorial Coverage

Media Coverage of 22nd Annual Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial in Calgary

Maryanne Pope & Const. Ian Vernon of the Calgary Police Service, Sept 27th 2020, photo by Darren Makowichuk, DMakowichuk@postmedia.com

Const. John Petropoulos’ widow, Maryanne Pope, lays wreath on behalf of families

On Sunday Sept 27th, 2020, JPMF Director Maryanne Pope attended the 22nd Annual Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial in Calgary, Alberta. In honour of the 20th anniversary of John’s death on Sept 29th, Maryanne was the family representative this year and laid a wreath on behalf of families who have lost a police or peace officer in the line of duty.

One of the JPMF co-founders, recruit classmate & close friend of John’s, Inspector Joel Matthews, was also in attendance at the service. Due to COVID19, there were significantly less officers in attendance and it was not a public event this year.  

Here is the media coverage of the ceremony:

Global News

CTV News

A sincere thank you to Global & CTV for the beautiful coverage of this important service. Thank you also for mentioning the JPMF’s new “Casket” workplace safety public service announcement. We greatly appreciate the support of the media over the years and simply could not do the public awareness work we do without you. Thank you. 

Maryanne laying wreath on behalf of families, photo courtesy of CTV Calgary

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

Watch the “Casket” PSA

Since 2000, there have been 20,000 Workplace Fatalities in Canada – Watch the “Casket” PSA

One workplace fatality is one too many…20,000 deaths since 2000 is unacceptable

In honour of the 20th anniversary of Const. John Petropoulos’ death on Sept 29th, 2020, the JPMF is launching our latest public service announcement (our 9th) entitled “Casket.” This powerful PSA was produced by Mathieu Martel of Moving Mountains.

Since John fell to his death at an unsafe workplace in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as a result of their work – either due to injury or occupational illness.

To raise awareness about this staggering statistic, the 30-second “Casket” PSA (animated) visually shows just how high a tower of 20,000 caskets would be, if stacked on top of one another: 40,000 feet. Each casket represents a human life lost – a real person, not just a number.

Is this the legacy we want to be building for workers – and their loved ones – in Canada?

Please click here to view the new “Casket” PSA.

To learn more about how to make your workplace & the roads safer for all workers, please view our safety videos and check out our safety tips. 

Thank you & stay safe.

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Calgary Police Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and died of a brain injury. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger; the complaint turned out to be a false alarm.

John was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces and the roads are safer for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

Heads-Up for Sept 29th

Heads-Up for Sept 29th – 20th Anniversary Launch of Two New Videos

John receiving his badge from Calgary Police Chief Christine Silverberg in 1997

“One day we will remember how lucky we were to have known their love, with wonder, not grief.”

- Elizabeth Postle

Sept 29th Will Be the 20th Anniversary of John’s Death

We were hoping to have a special event on Sept 29th to remember John and celebrate the achievements of the JPMF – but due to COVID19, we are postponing this event for a year or two. 

However, in honour of this landmark anniversary, the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund will be launching two new videos on Sept 29th:  

1. 20th Anniversary Video

A special 20th anniversary memorial video highlighting the JPMF’s accomplishments over the past 20 years has been produced by the Calgary Police Service Video Unit. 

2. “Casket” Public Service Announcement

Since John’s death in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of their work – either due to injury or occupational illness. The JPMF will be releasing our newest public service announcement (our ninth PSA) to raise public awareness about this staggering statistic.

Stay tuned. 

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and succumbed to brain injuries. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger. He was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces are safe for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.  

Casket Project Full Steam Ahead

Casket Project Full Steam Ahead

L to R: Caitlin & Rebecca Orr holding photo of Lance Orr

Short update on the “Casket” Video Project…

If you are not yet familiar with the new JPMF project in the works, this is it in a nutshell:

Since Const. John Petropoulos’ death (as the result of a preventable fall at unsafe workplace) in 2000, more than 20,000 Canadians have died as the result of their work – either due to injury or occupational disease. As far as we’re concerned, this number is both staggering & unacceptable.

The “Casket” project is a multi-phase public awareness campaign comprised of PSAs, short videos, a documentary and other educational messaging that raises awareness about the issue of worker & workplace safety in Canada. 

For more information, please visit the JPMF newsroom. 

First Casket PSA – Tower of Caskets

The first Public Service Announcement (PSA) is an animated spot that visually demonstrates what 20,000 fatalities looks like. This powerful PSA is nearly finished & will be launched on Sept 29th, 2020 – the 20th anniversary of John’s death.

Second PSA – Some Faces Behind the Stats

A second PSA and/or short video is also in the works. This video will show some of the faces behind the statistics. A heartfelt thank you to all the family members who have contributed photos of your loved one to the project so far. We sincerely appreciate you participating in this important project and hope that by working together, we can help bring these numbers down. 

Because one death is one too many.

For further details on the photo project, here is the link. 

We Are Still Accepting Photos From Family Members 

If you have a lost a loved one to a workplace fatality in Canada, we are still accepting photographs for the project. If you would like to participate, please contact our Family Liaison Coordinator, Rebecca Orr, at: Rebecca@jpmf.ca.

Here Are a Few More Photos We Have Received So Far…

Virginia Campeau holding photo of Paul Campeau

Cheryl Shock with photo of Sean Bradley

Ashling Boyd holding photo of Cathal Boyd

Jack & Katie Dexter holding photo of Bryan Benay

Michelle Fitch holding photo of Tim DesGrosseilliers

Robbie & Renee Vinnicombe with photo of David Vinnicombe

“When like-minded people come together, they make a huge difference.”

- Madhuri Jagtap

About the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund

The JPMF was started shortly after the death of Constable John Petropoulos on Sept 29th, 2000. John was investigating a break and enter complaint when he stepped through a false ceiling, fell nine feet into the lunchroom below and succumbed to brain injuries. There was no safety railing to warn him of the danger. He was 32.

The JPMF is a registered Canadian charity that raises public awareness about workplace safety issues and educates people about why & how to ensure their workplaces are safe for everyone, including emergency responders. For further information, please visit jpmf.ca.