A joint funeral is underway in Barrie, Ontario. for the two South Simcoe police officers shot at a home north of Toronto last week.
Hundreds of officers from police departments across the country participated in a funeral procession for officers Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup on Thursday morning.
The procession began around 9:20 a.m. and traveled from Adams Funeral Home and Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home to Sadlon Arena for the joint and private burial in Barry.
Several road closures were in effect this morning for the procession, which members of the public were welcome to watch along the route.
Members of the Toronto Police Service attended the procession, including Chief James Ramer, who said it was important for the service to pay tribute.
“This is a big team. There are different shoulder patches but they all come together. We are trained very well in this country, we are trained very well in the countryside, we integrate very well,” he told CP24.
A number of police officers form a funeral procession for two South Simcoe police officers killed in Innisfil. (CP24/ Simon Sheehan).
Ramer, along with thousands of members of police services across the country, gathered in Toronto for a march and funeral for the slain Toronto police officer. Andrew Hong last month.
Hong was one of three victims fatally shot by a gunman in a shooting that swept the Toronto area.
Hundreds of officers greeted the coffins as they arrived at the Sadlon Arena.
Police officers gather for the funeral procession of two South Simcoe police officers outside the Sadlon Center in Barrie, Ont., Thursday, October 20, 2020 (CP24/Simon Sheehan).
PRIVATE FUNERAL
The funeral began shortly after 11 a.m. and is not open to the public.
The service will be attended by the families of Constables Russell and Northrup, Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, members of the South Simcoe Police Service and representatives from other police services, emergency responders and staff.
Ford said he met with Const. Northrup once and that he’s a genuine and funny guy who lights up any room he’s in.
“I had the honor of meeting Devin once and I have a photo of the two of us together that means so much to me. And although his time as an officer was tragically cut short, Devin left a legacy to be proud of,” Ford said at the service.
Northrup, 33, had six years of service with South Simcoe Police and is survived by his partner and parents.
Russell, 54, is a 33-year veteran of the service and is survived by his wife and two children.
Police officers gather for the funeral procession of two South Simcoe police officers outside the Sadlon Center in Barrie, Ont., Thursday, October 20, 2020 (CP24/Simon Sheehan).
SIU INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The two officers were fatally shot while responding to a disturbance call at a residence near 25th Byway and 9th Line in Innisfil on the evening of October 11th.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the officers did not draw their firearms before they were shot.
A third officer arrived at the home and exchanged gunfire with the suspect before the shooter died, according to the SIU.
Although the SIU has not confirmed the identity of the 22-year-old shooter, CTV News Toronto identified him as Chris Doncaster through family friends and an ex-girlfriend.
The SIU has assigned six investigators and three forensic scientists to the case.
The SIU investigates officer conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
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