Hawkesbury OPP detachment commander dies

The Hawkesbury detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received the news Saturday morning, May 14 about the passing of its commander, Inspector Steven Waite. He was 48 years old.

Insp. Waite began his policing career with the Hawkesbury Police Service in 1985, where he was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assumed the responsibilities of Patrol Supervisor. He also headed the investigation department as the Detective-Sergeant, a role he continued in 1999 when the Hawkesbury Police Service amalgamated with the Ontario Provincial Police.

Waite supervised numerous major investigations in Prescott-County, including his longest and largest investigation: the Violet Graves homicide in 2001.

In 2005, he was promoted to the rank of Staff-Sergeant and inherited the duties of Detachment Commander for the Russell County OPP. In January 2009, he was assigned as Acting Inspector for the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry OPP detachment in Long Sault and led a unit of 120 police officers.

In April 2009, Waite was promoted to the rank of Inspector and remained in Long Sault until this past August, when he was transferred to the position of Inspector in his home town of Hawkesbury.

Insp. Waite will be resting at the Berthiaume Funeral Home at 416 McGill Street in Hawkesbury. Visitations will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m., and a private visit will be held on Friday, May 20.

A funeral service will be held at St-Jean-Baptiste Church in L'Orignal on Friday, May 20 at 11 a.m. Many police officers, friends and family will be on hand to celebrate the personal and professional life of this dedicated police officer, husband and father.