Thousands of officers offer a final salute to Const. Artem "James" Ochakovsky. (Craig Robertson, QMI Agency)

MISSISSAUGA -- A Peel Regional Police officer who died a day after his cruiser crashed made one last contribution to his adopted community, mourners were told Tuesday.

Doctors followed Const. Artem "James" Ochakovsky's wishes and harvested his organs, Rev. Walter Kelly said.

"There are six other families thanking God for James' thoughtfulness," he said, looking at the officer's flag-draped coffin Tuesday in the Hershey Centre.

More than 4,500 men and women from as far as Montreal, Halifax and the U.S attended the 90-minute service.

Ochakovsky, 36, was the first Peel officer killed while working since the unified force's formation in 1974.

Long lines of uniformed mourners, including red-coated Mounties, marched into the arena. They also lined the street as Ochakovsky's family was driven past flags lowered to half-staff, en route to a cemetery for his burial.

In repeated tributes, Ochakovsky was described as witty, inquisitive, enthusiastic about life, and a man who easily made friends.

Kelly said Ochakovsky was thrilled to reach Canada after growing up under Soviet oppression of fellow Jews in his native Moldova.

Keen on policing, he emigrated in 1995 after working as a chef in Israel, took several jobs before working with Brinks Security, then joined the Peel force in 2008.

Privately, Ochakovsky did volunteer work, was a keen hunter and fishermen, especially devoted to his wife and son.

Calling him outgoing, fair, honest, mature, respectful with people and constantly working "to achieve his goals," Chief Mike Metcalf said "he took his responsibilities seriously."

Metcalf, the head of a department with about 1,200 officers at the funeral, said Ochakovsky mentored younger colleagues and often queried supervisors in a bid to improve.

Promising colleagues will maintain his memory and contribution for Erin Ochakovsky and Owen, now 3, he told the widow "our hand will always be on your shoulder,"

Premier Dalton McGuinty said "officers like James aren't just good at what they do, what they do is good. They build a caring society ... and help keep us safe.'

Also also paying tribute to Const. Vu Pham, an OPP officer gunned down Monday near Wingham, McGuinty said "these men are heroes every day of their lives, to their communities, to their fellow officers, and most of all, to their families."

One of the most poignant moments was Erin Ochakovsky's walk to the podium holding Owen's hand.

"James was the love of my life," she said, wearing a black mourning armband with her husband's badge number, 3382. "I could not ask for more in a man.

"He was my hero, he was my Prince Charming, he was my everything," she said, stopping periodically. "He was the kind of father that every woman dreams of."

Her husband died March 2, one day after his cruiser collided with another vehicle as he drove to collect a prisoner from a colleague. The other driver was not seriously hurt. The investigation continues.

ian.robertson@sunmedia.ca