A 27-year-old Durham Regional Police Service recruit died Tuesday after a motor vehicle collision while he was travelling to the Ontario Police College.
Constable in Training Tyrone Magbitang was killed in the crash on July 7, 2026, Durham Regional Police said in a news release, which described the service as profoundly saddened by his death.
Magbitang joined the Durham Regional Police Service as a special constable in May 2023. In April of this year, he was selected as a police constable recruit — a step the service said brought him closer to a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer.
"Tyrone was a compassionate, dedicated, and service-driven individual who believed deeply in helping others and making a positive difference in the community," the police service said in the release.
After completing a Police Foundations education, Magbitang pursued a career in public safety with what the service described as determination, humility and a commitment to serving those around him.
The service said that although Magbitang's time with the organization was short, he left a lasting impression on those who worked with him. He will be remembered for his kindness, professionalism and potential, according to the release.
"His loss is deeply felt throughout the Durham Regional Police Service and the wider policing community," the release stated.
On Wednesday, Magbitang was to be transported from London, Ontario, to the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. The service said loved ones and Durham Regional Police members would accompany him as a mark of respect and in recognition of the profession he aspired to join.
The police service, which is headquartered on Rossland Road East in Whitby, extended condolences to Magbitang's family, friends, colleagues and loved ones, and said it remains committed to supporting everyone affected by the loss.
The service also asked that the privacy of Magbitang's family and those mourning him be respected during this difficult time.
