Chatham-Kent's firce police chief has died.
Former Chief John Kopinak died early Tuesday after a courageous battle with cancer.
Chatham-Kent Police Services Board Chair Pat Weaver said the community owes Chief Kopinak a large debt.
"John became police chief at a pivotal point in our community and was tasked with creating a new Chatham-Kent Police Service," he said. "He laid the foundation for what has become one of the finest services of its kind in the province."
Kopinak's career began in 1968 with the Port Colborne Police and he later served in executive capacities with the Niagara Regional Police force, the Provincial Solicitor General's office and the Canadian Police College.
He was also a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico.
Current Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn called Chief Kopinak "the architect of the Chatham-Kent police service.
"Chief Kopinak had the arduous task of amalgamating the Dresden, Chatham, Wallaceburg and Tilbury Services, while patrolling one of the largest geographical municipalities in the province and keeping costs below the provincial average."
Chief Conn noted that at the same time, the province was implementing adequacy standards and regulations for all police services in Ontario that required chiefs of police to ensure members in their respective services complete ministry-accredited training.
"This was a monumental task in our profession," he said.
Conn said Chief Kopinak had a fundamental belief in community-based policing and continuous staff training.