Constable Greg Pierzchala’s Body-Camera Captures Tragic Final Moments
In a heart-wrenching scene, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer, Const. Greg Pierzchala, unknowingly recorded his own death on December 27, 2022. Having just completed his probationary period that very morning, the 28-year-old officer activated his body camera upon arriving at a collision scene. His camera captured not only the final interaction with Brandi Stewart-Sperry and her partner but also the harrowing moments leading up to his tragic death.
“Guys, I’m giving you a heads up my body-camera is on so everything is audio and visually recorded,” Pierzchala said, unaware that it would be his final words.
The video footage has become a pivotal piece of evidence in the first-degree murder trial of Randall McKenzie, 27, and Brandi Stewart-Sperry, 32. The couple, who sit separately in the courtroom, face charges related to Pierzchala’s death. The trial, under strict security measures, is expected to last several weeks.
In the footage, Stewart-Sperry, explaining her actions after ditching a vehicle near Hagersville, is seen with McKenzie, who allegedly concealed his hand in his hoodie pocket. As the officer approached them, a scream pierced the air—Pierzchala was shot.
The video stopped abruptly before showing the full impact of the six bullets that struck him, but the emotional weight of the video was evident in the courtroom. Veronica Tobicoe, a key witness, became overwhelmed as she recounted the traumatic events.
Tobicoe, who had been near the scene with her daughter, hurried to assist those involved in the collision. Upon interacting briefly with Stewart-Sperry and McKenzie, she described the couple trying to enter her locked vehicle as police arrived. As she stood near Pierzchala, she heard gunshots and saw McKenzie raise his concealed hand, firing the fatal shots.
“I heard two more shots and looked back at the officer,” Tobicoe said, her voice shaking. “He had been shot… I could still hear him groaning as we tried to get away.”
As the witnesses in the courtroom wiped away tears, the emotional toll was evident on Pierzchala’s family members, who were present and visibly distraught.
Tobicoe described the moments of chaos as McKenzie demanded the keys to her truck. Fearing for their safety, she threw him the keys, not knowing if they would be shot. Meanwhile, Pierzchala was heard groaning in pain as the incident escalated.
After the couple managed to steal Tobicoe’s vehicle keys, they sped off, leaving Pierzchala severely injured. Hill, Tobicoe’s daughter, described her efforts to get help as more people arrived at the scene. One driver was urged to ram her vehicle to prevent the couple from fleeing.
“I ran to Greg to try to help,” Hill recalled, her voice trembling as she spoke.
The courtroom was visibly affected when the disturbing video footage was shown again. Justice Andrew Goodman, aware of its graphic nature, warned the audience each time the footage was played, giving people the opportunity to leave, though none did.
Crown attorney Fraser McCracken revealed that Stewart-Sperry was seen with McKenzie in the video, and McKenzie was a wanted man at the time of the shooting. He added that McKenzie understood that being arrested would likely lead to imprisonment.
As the trial continues, the tragic loss of Constable Greg Pierzchala remains a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day.
