The Constable John Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Constable John Atkinson, to honor his service and the ultimate sacrifice he made while protecting the citizens of Windsor and Essex County. In 2006, Constable Atkinson was shot and killed in the line of duty. Following this tragic event, John’s wife Shelley created the Constable John Atkinson Fund at the WindsorEssex Community Foundation, in order to keep John’s memory alive.

A decade later, Shelley designated the fund to aid students pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. Helping the next generation of law enforcers reach their potential is John’s legacy. The Atkinson family has been actively engaged in building this legacy over the years, and have helped many deserving youth in our community to realize their goals and follow their passion for serving and protecting the citizens of Windsor & Essex County.

On August 18, 2022, the 11th Annual Constable John Atkinson Memorial Golf Tournament was held at Ambassador Golf Club. With over 150 participants, this year’s tournament was a great success and a memorable event for all! The event has become an annual celebration of life, community and philanthropy in our community. In its first 10 years, the tournament raised over $139,000, with this year’s numbers still to be added to this outstanding total. Since 2016, proceeds from the tournament have been donated to the Scholarship Fund to give financial aid to prospective students who are pursuing an education in the law enforcement field, and to assist these students in reaching their full potential and creating a perpetual legacy in Constable Atkinson’s honour.