An Ontario police officer who died in a shooting Thursday is being remembered by his church family.

Cons. Marc Hovingh was killed alongside a civilian while in the line of duty earlier this week.

A devout follower of Christ, Hovingh attended Mindemoya Missionary Church for more than 20 years

Ben Quackenbush, an elder at Mindemoya Missionary Church in Mindemoya, Ontario, remembers Hovingh as a joyful person above all.

"He was always happy and always happy to be laughing and trying to get a laugh out of people," Quackenbush says.

"I think his passion was his family and he loved his kids and he was definitely loved and appreciated by his church family and the whole Mindemoya community. He's going to be missed."

Quackenbush says Hovingh was a consistent member of their church.

"He was a regular attender on Sunday mornings," Quackenbush says. "His wife helps out with youth and Marc was always willing to come and chip in and entertain the youth and keep the kids laughing whenever we had special events.

"He was just a joy to be around and just a real calm, loving, joyful presence."

Hovingh leaves behind his wife and four children.

After hearing Hovingh had been shot, members of the church went to visit the constable in hospital to support him and his family.

Quackenbush says the church was also opened that night for members of the community to gather to grieve and pray together.

 

"I'm not sure how exactly with COVID and everything we're going to be able to support each other going forward but we definitely will be there to support one another as a church family," Quackenbush says.

The elder asks that people take time to remember Hovingh and his family in their prayers during this time.

"As much as I'm heartbroken and our church family is heartbroken, I can't imagine what they're going through," Quackenbush says.

"Just lifting them up in prayer is really all that can be done right now."

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