An Ottawa police officer took his own life at police headquarters in downtown Ottawa on Sunday, the same day hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Canada gathered on Parliament Hill to remember colleagues killed in the line of duty.

Those who have worked with him know him as an excellent example of a hard-working, dedicated officer who loved his job. - Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau

Police confirmed the officer who took his own life was 43-year-old Staff Sgt. Kal Ghadban.

The incident took place Sunday at about 1 p.m. inside the police headquarters at 474 Elgin St.

Ottawa police Staff-Sgt. Kal Ghadban took his own life Sunday at police headquarters on Sunday afternoon. (CBC) Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau notified members of the force in an internal email. Bordeleau

In a media release issued later Sunday, Bordeleau said the force's thoughts and prayers are with Ghadban's family. He is survived by his wife and three children.

"I am saddened to report that a well-respected and well-loved member of our service died this afternoon after an incident at 474 Elgin. The news of his death pains us all," Bordeleau wrote. "Those who have worked with him know him as an excellent example of a hard-working, dedicated officer who loved his job.

"Today we are working to ensure that [his family is] supported. We are also ensuring supports are in place for all of our members and our loved ones."

Ghadban was with the break and enter and guns and gangs unit of Ottawa police and had worked on several high-profile investigations, including the break-in this summer at the Ottawa home of federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

He had also participated in the Ottawa Human Library project, and in that role talked to CBC about how a brief brush with the law when he was 10-years old had inspired him to become a police officer.

The province's Special Investigations Unit has invoked its mandate and is handling the investigation.

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