Constable Reginald “Reg” Downer Jr.
Dates of Service 1980-2008
A Hamiltonian dedicated to his community, Reg Downer was a well-known Police Officer and member of the Salvation Army church. Reg’s continued interest in serving others has continued on in a legacy of family members and former colleagues that knew him well. On August 22, 1995, Reg was off duty, driving his own car, with his two young children aboard. He came upon a serious accident that involved a single car roll over with four people trapped inside, at West 5th Street and Mohawk Road, in Hamilton. Reg had a by-stander look after his children while Reg attended to removing the trapped people from the car. Reg was able to break the rear window of their car and crawl inside with the victims. He took each person out, one at a time. During this rescue there was a great potential for a fire to break out because of dripping fuel in and around the car.
Reg was given the honour of
“Member of the Month”,
in September of 1995
by the
Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police Service.
Reg was a wonderful Police Officer, Colleague, Husband, Father, and friend. In 1995, Reg was diagnosed with brain cancer and would spend the next 13 years of his life fighting to remain on earth with those he loved so deeply. Various surgeries, hours of recovery, and daily reminders of moments (due to short term memory) were perhaps less visible to those outside of his immediate circle, especially his family (including four children). I am disheartened to admit that I was not a pillar of support in ways I could have been for Reg during this time. I suppose I felt he should be with his family throughout, which only seems logical.
These are his children, Nathan (Hamilton Police Officer), James (Haldimand OPP), Joshua (Salvation Army Pastor) and Naomi (McMaster Hospital Surgical Ward) with all the grandchildren.
By Dave Bowen, Retired Inspector, Hamilton Police Service