You could say sleepy Innisfil lost much of its innocence a year ago today.
During the evening of Oct. 11, 2022, South Simcoe Police Service constables Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell were fatally shot 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.
“Today marks a devastating day in the history of the service when two beloved officers … were killed in the line of duty," Chief John Van Dyke said in an email Wednesday. "On the first anniversary of their tragic deaths, we remember Morgan and Devon for the people they were and their dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. We will never forget their service and their sacrifice. Our thoughts are with their families today. 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.”
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.
“Today, we remember our fallen heroes … who were tragically killed in the line of duty after responding to a disturbance call,” the department said this morning in a statement on X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter. “We will never forget their lives, their service and their sacrifice.”
Over the last year, both men have been honoured and remembered in several ways.
In May, 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.
Then, in June, the Town of Innisfil renamed the South Innisfil Arena and Community Centre to the Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and Community Centre.
That was followed in September by the official renaming of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Middletown Park to Constable Devon Northrup Memorial Park.
Both were also among 13 officers recognized during the 46th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Ottawa several weeks ago.
