Funeral plans set for OPP officer killed in line of duty

Sgt. Brandon Malcolm, a 33-year-old motorcycle cop who served his country and his community, died in a crash on Hwy. 401 in Cobourg

Published May 02, 2026  •  Last updated 12 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

OPP Sgt. Brandon Malcolm died in a crash while on duty on Hwy. 401 in Cobourg on Monday, April 27, 2026. Photo by Handout /Ontario Provincial Police

Grief-stricken OPP officers will gather this week to honour a fellow cop who was killed in a motorcycle crash while on duty in Cobourg last Monday.

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Ontario Provincial Police say a funeral service will be held for Sgt. Brandon Malcolm – who tragically died in the line of duty on April 27 – at the Cobourg Community Centre, located at 750 D’Arcy St., beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

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“The private service will be attended by Sgt. Malcolm’s family, their guests, members of the OPP, representatives from other police services, emergency services personnel and officials,” the OPP said in a statement.

The OPP has said officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Hwy. 401 around 5:30 p.m. last Monday.

“While officers were responding to the initial incident, two OPP cruisers were involved in a secondary collision with a stopped passenger vehicle on Hwy. 401 westbound near the primary collision scene,” the OPP said on Tuesday. “Three OPP officers were transported to a local hospital as a precaution and have since been released.”

It was determined soon after that Malcolm, who had been travelling east on the highway, had died.

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“We are heartbroken over the death of our member,” OPP Association President David Sabatini said in the wake of the tragedy. “Our thoughts are with our member’s family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.”

The investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing.

OPP Sgt. Brandon Malcolm died in a crash while on duty on Hwy. 401 in Cobourg on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Malcolm always wanted to be a police officer

An online obituary, posted on dignitymemorial.com, explains Malcolm always wanted to be a police officer.

He had been an Auxiliary member with the Toronto Police Service prior to joining the OPP and he also served as a Combat Engineer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Malcolm, who leaves behind his wife Vashti Persaud and a large family, joined the OPP in 2020 and “excelled.”

“He strived to become a well-rounded officer to better serve the community,” the obit states.

OPP Sgt. Brandon Malcolm died in a crash while on duty on Hwy. 401 in Cobourg on Monday, April 27, 2026. Photo by dignitymemorial.com

Malcolm was also a proud member of the OPP Golden Helmets precision motorcycle team.

“He was highly respected and trusted as a leader who fostered a supportive environment,” the obit states. “His quiet confidence, professionalism, and strong work ethic made him an integral part of the Ontario Provincial Police.”

“He had a brief opportunity to live out his dream and to do his best to keep our community safe. He will forever be a hero in life,” the online remembrance adds.

While the visitation and funeral service for Malcolm will be held privately and will not be open to the public, details on a livestream of the service will be made available closer to the service date.

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