Doug Pflug: A Remarkable Canadian 

When Doug Pflug graduated from the Ontario Police College over 30 years ago, his parents Paul and Joan asked him to make a promise. They requested that their son try to always improve the lives of the people he would encounter daily. The 22-year-old Pflug, full of energy and enthusiasm for the job that lay ahead, thought nothing of it.

He didn’t realize how challenging the journey would be. Three decades later, the Waterloo, ON native has kept his word to his parents. Pflug has devoted his life to helping others, not only as a career officer, but also as a mentor, volunteer, coach, father, husband, and friend. And the office of Julie Payette, the Governor General of Canada, has taken notice.

Pflug was recently honoured by being named to the Governor General’s list of 123 Remarkable Canadians.

“This may have one person’s name on it but there are hundreds of people through my life who have loved me, supported me, and assisted me,” the retired member of the Guelph Police Service says in a humbled voice. “This is a culmination of all of it. This is not about me.

“It’s about the wonderful friends, family, and colleagues who have always helped me.”

Pflug’s selection for the prestigious honour is far from surprising. He has literally been a fighter since birth. Pflug showed resilience as a newborn when he overcame Plyoric Stenosis (a dangerous condition that causes babies to become dehydrated from excessive vomiting) and then at the age of three, also dealt with Immune Thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder leading to easy bruising and bleeding.

They were mere setbacks in a life ultimately devoted to giving, which Pflug felt was his calling. In addition to his years of service with the GPS, he has been relentless in trying to make a difference in the lives of others, be it through his volunteer work with Special Olympics, coaching, personal training services, or work with the Ontario Police College, where he currently acts as the coordinator for the Sergeant Course and the 911 Communication Supervisor Course.

One of Pflug’s greatest passions is his deep connection with Gryphon Football. He wore the red, black, and gold as a tailback from 1986 to 1989 and came back to the program he loved almost 20 years ago at the request of then coach Tom Arnott to fill the role of community liaison. Five years ago, the Pflug Family Community Award was created to recognize those Gryphons who go above and beyond to impact others.

That experience as a Gryphon made all the difference for a young man with a desire to leave his mark on the community. When his Ontario Police College colleague Mike Souliere nominated Pflug for the Remarkable Canadian award, he asked, “How the heck do you do all of these things?”

“I told Mike that Gryphon Football taught me how to be a man,” says Pflug, adding that Stu Lang’s influence on him has been a blessing. “It’s about core values, standing up for people, about giving a voice to those silenced by whatever the adversity they may face in life. It’s my calling. I’m a Christian. I want to be who I can be and help as many people in the world so that I can earn the life given to me by my god.

“Honour, integrity, passion, and accountability – those were taught to me through the vehicle of football.”

“Doug has been a great example of what we coaches hope all of our student athletes achieve here at our program: to become a good man,” says Gryphon Football head coach Ryan Sheahan, who has gotten to know Pflug this past year. “His countless volunteer hours and his leadership with the Special Olympics program has been inspirational and has created a great opportunity for our players and coaches to give back to our community. 

“We are proud to have him as a friend of the program.”

Pflug notes that sports are a great precursor for law enforcement. There are common principles among them and he says that of the 2,500 Ontario Police College recruits over the past three years, almost 50 per cent have experience in U SPORTS athletics. The U of G has been an excellent recruiting ground, as well. Including Pflug and offensive line coach Mike MacDonald, a retired RCMP officer, there have been approximately 25 former Gryphons who have pursued a career in policing.

Pflug, who also teaches media relations and the contents of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is an incredible resource for Gryphon Football graduates entering that world. He is adamant about sharing his experiences and principles with these young men before they start their first day of work.

“As an officer, you often go into people’s lives on their absolute worst day,” says Pflug, a believer in being strong in both mind and body. “You can’t become part of that chaos. You have to provide the calm.

“That’s when you can truly serve the communities you’ve been asked to assist.”

Those former Gryphon players entering police forces are learning valuable lessons from Pflug, who instructs with both energy and compassion.

“Doug is a kind-hearted person who will always go out of his way to help anyone,” says a recent Gryphon Football grad, who has to remain anonymous for safety reasons as he prepares to begin his policing career. “He is a genuine individual. And he wants to see people excel in everything they undertake.

“Doug will provide as many tools as needed in order for them to do so. He wants our society to be a better place and he works hard to achieve this goal by the people he helps on his path.”

But Pflug’s words aren’t reserved for just future officers. Gryphon standout and recently-crowned Grey Cup champion Johnny Augustine says that Pflug has been an incredible role model.

“Since my second year, Doug mentored me, guided me,” says Augustine, a U of G legend and current member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “He’s like a second father because he really gave me great advice. I can say that I am the man I am today because of him. He has humbled me in so many ways. Just the relationships I have with others, I’m a big believer in treating people the way you want to be treated, show respect.

“Because of Doug showing me those little things and how far they can go, I want to thank him for that.”

Pflug never shies away from a conversation. And he is understandably outspoken about the current views around policing in 2020. He openly denounces bad officers and is staunch supporter of Black Lives Matter.

“There’s a bad narrative out there and rightfully so.” Pflug says. “I get it. George Floyd was murdered, as far as I’m concerned. There are police officers who don’t have the ability to do their job and they shouldn’t have their job.”

Pflug was exposed to racism in high school at Waterloo Collegiate Institute. He had a young friend named Ram Tumkur, who was of Indian descent. Ram was constantly bullied because of his race and Pflug took it upon himself to defend the boy. Ram would attend Pflug’s wrestling, football, and track practices, before their daily walk to the bus stop to ensure his safety from the predators.

On June 23, 1985, Ram and his sister Chitralekha were among the 329 people killed when terrorists planted a bomb on Air India flight 182, which went down in the Atlantic Ocean off of Ireland.

Pflug, who was 18 at the time, realized then that life was sometimes unfair. He had always tried to protect Ram but this catastrophic event was out of his hands.

“My heart still bleeds,” he says.

Recognition for the 123 Remarkable Canadians honour is on hold because of the pandemic. Pflug has opted to have an in-person visit to Ottawa’s Rideau Hall, which could take up to two years. He will wait patiently and focus on the chance to celebrate the award with his daughters Reighan and Alexis, and wife Michelle, a blood spatter expert who also teaches at the Ontario Police College.

Most importantly, he can be proud that he honoured the demanding wish of his parents 30 years ago.

“Everyone owns a piece of it,” Pflug says of the honour. “I want to share it with my friends and family.”

Written By: David DiCenzo