In Deep Community Appreciation

"Constable Jeff Smith is] recovering well at home."

"Constable Smith and his family remain incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the community and beyond over the past several weeks. Every well wish and message of encouragement has been sincerely appreciated."

"Regarding return to work question, right now, the priority is his recovery. We are encouraged by his progress and are pleased that he is able to recover surrounded by the support of family and loved ones." 

Belleville Police Service 

Belleville Police Service officer Const. Jeff Smith, left, with his wife, Ashley, right, and their children. (Ashley Smith/Facebook)

 

 Constable Smith, a 13-year veteran of the Belleville Police Service, was stationed in an unmarked police car outside the Belleville Sons of Jacob Synagogue on September 20, during a Yom Kippur service. A former member of the Canadian Military Force had scoped out the area where he had planned to mount an attack against the synagogue, noting the presence of Constable Smith. On his second round preparing to launch his attack, he came from behind the constable, shouting "You're going to die for the Jews", and shot the seated man. 

 

Several minutes later, another Belleville Police officer came on the scene, Constable Michael McCurdy, to join Constable Smith who despite his serious injuries, shot in the head and the back, had emerged from his vehicle to stop the attacker, 29-year-old Sean Ward. The two officers succeeded in their mission to apprehend what would have been a slaughter had the attacker entered the synagogue with its 25 congregants at prayer. Sean Ward was taken to hospital where he died a day later of the gunshot wounds he had sustained.

 

Constable McCurdy had not been injured in the exchange of gunfire. His colleague, Constable Smith remained in hospital for a number of surgeries addressing his critical injuries, for a month, before finally being released to continue his recovery at home. The event shook the already frail sense of security in the Jewish community, targeted by a viral wave of antisemitism following the Palestinian terror attack that took place in southern Israel three years earlier on 7 October 2023, when thousands of terrorists led by Hamas stormed across the border from Gaza to launch a horrifically savage mass atrocity of rape and slaughter.

 

Police officers talk near the scene of a shooting where a police officer was shot outside a Yom Kippur gathering at Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, September 21, 2026.

(photo credit: REUTERS/PATRICK DOYLE)

 

The courage and determination of the two Belleville police officers shone a badly-needed ray of hope among the Jewish community in the city that radiated outward to embrace the regional, provincial and Canada-wide Jewish community, left reeling after years of public demonstrations by anti-Israel campaigners from the radicalized Muslim community in Canada led by Palestinian students, fuelled by cash from abroad that attracted the support of Canadian academia, unions and far-left groups.

 

The Canadian Jewish community was quick to launch fundraising campaigns to benefit the two police officers. The fundraising campaign for severely wounded Jeff Smith raised an amount just shy of $1 million: $969,110, meant to help the family pay for any costly medical equipment, healing therapeutic requirements he may require, and associated medications. The fundraising campaign for officer Michael McCurdy, thanking him for having "prevented a deliberate, hate-motivated attack on the city's Jewish community from becoming a mass-casualty event", has raised $58,400.  

"Jeff, we wish you strength, healing and peace as you begin this next stage of your recovery."

"We hope you and your family can take some comfort in knowing that thousands of Canadians continue to stand beside you."

Campaign organizer, Derek Kreindler  

Sons of Jacob Synagogue President Norm Weddum sits next to a sign thanking Belleville police officers Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 in Belleville, Ont. Luke Hendry /The Belleville Intelligencer