OPP officer killed in the line of duty used to work in Kitchener, Ont.

CTV’s Colton Wiens take a look at OPP Const. Tarun Bali’s ties to Kitchener, Ont.

An Ontario Provincial Police officer who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday used to work as a bylaw officer for the City of Kitchener.

Const. Tarun Bali, 29, and fellow officers from the James Bay detachment were trying to stop a vehicle on Kendall Concession Road 7 in Hearst, Ont., just west of Kapuskasing. During that interaction, the driver hit Bali and he died at the scene.

OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the driver, 18-year-old Justin Veronneau, was stopped by police after he fled from a hospital where he was being assessed under the Mental Health Act.

He was charged with first-degree murder, assaulting an officer, two counts of fleeing police, resisting arrest, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation causing death.

Veronneau will remain in police custody until his court appearance on June 24.

What we know about Bali

Bali was originally from Brampton and joined Kitchener’s bylaw enforcement team in 2021.

He left the job in 2023 to work for Ontario Provincial Police.

“Tarun’s passing is being met with sadness, but he will be fondly remembered by his Kitchener colleagues for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, infectious smile, and warm and approachable personality,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said in a media release. “Tarun made a lasting impression on those around him and his kindness and dedication will not be forgotten.”

Flags will be lowered outside all city buildings until Bali’s memorial service.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

The OPP Association (OPPA) said Bali had only been with the force for two-and-a-half years. While he was assigned to the Dufferin detachment in Orangeville, he had been working out of the James Bay detachment.

“It’s kind of extra work for them, and they help with staffing shortages and things like that up in the north,” Scott Mills, OPPA’s strategic communications coordinator, told CP24. “So, he was going the extra mile in service to the people of Ontario when he was tragically killed.”

Bali is the second OPP officer to be killed in the line of duty over the last few months. Sgt. Brandon Malcolm died in a single-vehicle collision, involving a motorcycle on Highway 401 in Cobourg, in April.

With files from CTV News Northern Ontario and CP24