NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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Jason Peter Geerts, “Gertzy”, 35, of Springfield, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Friday March 8, 2019, surrounded by those closest to him.
Jason fought courageously and inspirationally against his ALS diagnosis for the past two years but unfortunately his body simply had enough.
Jason was born on June 15th, 1983 in London, Ontario to Chris and Geraldine Geerts; he was the third of four children.
He had a passion for sports, especially hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs, fishing, two-stepping and most importantly, making people laugh. He was constantly referred to as ‘the life of any party’ and ‘one loud Dutchman’.
Growing up on a dairy farm, Jason knew the value of hard work and transferred this into his everyday life.
He also knew the value of having a close, loving family and many friendships; a testament to how he was raised. While growing up, Jason always had the ambition of becoming a police officer. As a stepping-stone to his career choice, Jason graduated from Fanshawe College in 2004 with Police Foundations, soon afterwards accepting a job with the London Health Sciences Centre as a Security Officer.
Jason met the love of his life, Brandie Shackleton-Verbuyst in 2002 and would later marry her in August 2009; they had two sons together. In 2008, Jason fulfilled his career aspirations by proudly becoming a police officer with the Guelph Police Service.
After working there for seven years, Jason transferred to Woodstock Police Services so he could be closer to his family. In 2016, just prior to being devastatingly diagnosed with ALS, Jason was promoted to detective; a position he greatly admired and respected.
Jason was also a member of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve for 12 years throughout this time, before retiring in 2014.
Jason’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with.
From the members of the Guelph Police Service, Jason you will never be forgotten. You were a true hero in life not death. Rest in peace friend
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