In the months following the time that Tom left our world, there have been several tributes in his honour and memory. It helps us to heal knowing that his memory lives on and that he has indeed touched the lives of many.
Please follow the links below...
York Regional Police Academic Achievement Award
This award was created in memory of Tom and is presented to the student in each new recruit graduation class, who has achieved the highest academic standards.
Special Bursary
Tom's memory was also honoured with an annual bursary from the Nathanson Center for the Study of Organized Crime and Corruption. This award was established to assist police officers pursuing a degree in Law. The first recipient of this bursary was Constable Jeffrey Pearson, Metro Toronto Police, The second recipient was Natalie Osadchy of the Ontario Provincial Police. Any who may be interested in receiving this bursary should contact M. Beare at 416-736-5586 / orgcrime@yorku.ca
Painting Dedication
A special ceremony was held on September 16, 1999 to unveil a painting donated to the York Regional Police Service in Tom's memory
Newspaper Clippings
Some of the articles about Tom collected from various newspapers
Prayer Request at Fatima, Portugual
A good family friend, Natalia Neves took time out during her honeymoon this summer to request prayers be said for Tom.
Leukemia Marathon - Running for Tom
On October 17, 1999, Catherine Belcastro ran in Tom's memory to help raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund. Thank you Catherine for once again running in Tom's memory, Oct/2000 and again in the New York City Marathon in November 2002. We are all very touched by your gesture.
Blue Line Magazine
Canada's national law enforcement magazine, "Blue Line" profiled Tom in their April 2000 issue.
York Regional Police Annual Report 1999
The YRP Service's Annual Magazine included a special tribute to Tom.
The Blueprint - Winter 2000-2001
York Regional Police magazine included an article about the the plaque that will be added in memory of Tom at the Trans Canada Trail pavillion on Barrie's waterfront.
York Regional Police Association Tom DesRochers Memorial Bonspiel
This annual bonspiel was renamed in Tom's memory in 2000. It is a fun day that we (Tom's family) attend and participate in. It's always nice to see many of Tom's old friends, colleagues and curling buddies at this bonspiel each year. It's another special event that helps to keep Tom's memory alive and allows for the sharing of funny stories and fond rememberances.
This event generally takes place in February and all YRP members and their familes/friends are invited to participate.
* Since this bonspiel was renamed in honour of Tom, we've lost several members of YRP including Mark Grant, who replaced Tom on the YRP curling team and who there is now a "Best Sweeper" award, Rob Plunkett, who was always supportive/donated prizes, and Doug Hall, who was a very close friend of Tom's, and who the YRP new grad "Valedictorian Award" is named after. These wonderful people along with other YRP members were lost far too soon, and are also missed and remembered.
South Simcoe Major League Sportsmanship Award
This award is presented annually at a special banquet dinner. This is a most fitting award to be presented in Tom's memory, as any who knew him know that he was most sportsman-like and ever a gentleman.
Trans Canada Trail-The Great Trail
The Trans Canada Trail(renamed The Great Trail) is the longest recreational, multi-use trail network in the world, extending over 24,000 kilometres. The idea for the Trail began in 1992, shortly after the Canada 125 celebrations. Tom's family purchaed a plaque in his honour that can be viewed at The Great Trail pavillion in Barrie on the waterfront.
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