Two years in and the wounds still feel somewhat fresh.
South Simcoe Police Service marked the second anniversary of the fatal shooting of constables Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell Friday.
During the evening of Oct. 11, 2022, Northrup and Russell were gunned down while they attended a domestic disturbance in Innisfil. The incident made national headlines for days and their funeral procession through Barrie brought out thousands of onlookers, while the service inside the Sadlon Arena drew dignitaries including Premier Doug Ford.
Russell, 54, was a 33-year veteran of the department who was a trained crisis negotiator and was assigned to uniform patrol. Northrup, 33, served for six years in the service and worked with the community mobilization and engagement unit.
“On the second anniversary of remembrance, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen heroes,” the department said in a social-media post this morning. “Their commitment to duty and service will always be honoured in our hearts and thoughts. We honour their legacy by continuing to serve our community with courage and compassion. We carry their spirit with us in our daily actions and each act of service we perform in their memory is a tribute to their dedication. Heroes In Life – Never Forgotten.”
Chief John Van Dyke was unavailable for comment for this story, but he has in the past called the incident a “devastating day in the history of the service.”
“We will never forget their service and their sacrifice,” he said in October 2023. “We are forever grateful for the continued support of our communities, policing partners and everyone who helped us in our darkest hours following the loss of our officers.”
Over the last two years, both men have been honoured and remembered in several ways.
In May 2023, the names of the local constables were etched into the Wall of Honour at the Ontario Police Memorial in Queen’s Park in Toronto, a tribute reserved for police officers slain in the line of duty in the province.
A month later, the Town of Innisfil renamed the South Innisfil Arena and Community Centre to the Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and Community Centre.
That September saw the official renaming of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Middletown Park to Constable Devon Northrup Memorial Park.
Also around that time, both were among 13 officers recognized during the 46th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Ottawa.
