Incident
Cst. Atkinson was shot and killed while questioning two suspicious men he observed at a convenience store. Cst. Atkinson approached these individuals and during this time a firearm was produced and Cst. Atkinson was shot. After being hit, Cst. Atkinson was able to return fire, however, neither of the suspects in custody have “bullet-related injuries,” police said. A firearm was recovered, but it is unknown if it was the weapon used in the shooting. Cst. Atkinson was a plainclothes officer and on-duty at the time of the shooting. He was assigned to the provincial anti-terrorism section. Cst. Atkinson is survived by his wife Shelley, nine-year-old son Mitchell and six-year-old daughter Nicole. As we start 2026, we can look back and note that we have been very fortunate to not have lost anyone in Canada to a Line of Duty Death (LODD) these last two years. Since the launch of the Memorial Rib… Photo: Memorial Ribbon Society Directors Shawn Coady & James Pearson with Tumbleweed Spirits Co-Owner Mike Patterson Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society Directors Shawn Coady and …
Survivors
Atkinson is survived by his wife Shelley, nine-year-old son Mitchell and six-year-old daughter Nicole.
In Our Keeping
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BO-CA-FED-D037EC8C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Atkinson served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Atkinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
John Atkinson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In ON, 75 of 334 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.5% of this state's fallen. That is 31.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 75 of 333 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Atkinson's cause is highlighted.
How John Atkinson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Atkinson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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