NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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The South Simcoe Police Service will be honouring our fallen heroes Const. Morgan Russell and Const. Devon Northrup leading up to the first anniversary of their tragic deaths.
Constables Russell and Northrup were killed in the line of duty after responding to a disturbance call on October 11, 2022. Our members will be participating in several public events this month to pay tribute to the lives and sacrifice of Morgan and Devon.
Local Kick-Off Memorial ‘Run to Remember’
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023
South Division — 81 Melbourne Dr., Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Start: 6 p.m.
This local kick-off to the Canadian National Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial ‘Run to Remember’ is an opportunity for service members, their family, and friends to pay tribute to Morgan and Devon with a run/walk close to home.
The event will start at the South Division in Bradford and pause for a moment of silence at the new Constable Devon Northrup Memorial Park, and the Alan Kuzmich Memorial Park, named for fallen South Simcoe Police Service officer Const. Alan Kuzmich, who died in the line of duty on Aug. 21, 2002.
Participation in the event is for service members, only but citizens are welcome to honour our fallen heroes by lining the route.
Canadian National Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial ‘Run to Remember’
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, to Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023
Start: Ontario Police Memorial — 23 Queen's Park Cres. E., Toronto
Start 7 a.m.
The Memorial ‘Run to Remember’ starts from the Ontario Police Memorial in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, and finishes at the National Police Memorial in Ottawa on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
The run honours officers who gave their lives in service to their communities. It also raises awareness about the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Annual Memorial Service on Parliament Hill on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The 460-kilometre run also raises funds through the sale of T-shirts, and by runners collecting donations to be directed toward trust funds established in memory of fallen peace officers from across the country.
The South Simcoe Police Service running team consists of three officers and Devon Northrup’s brother. The Memorial ‘Run to Remember’ has added significance this year as it was an event close to the heart of Const. Northrup, who completed the run three times.
Canadian National Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial ‘Ride To Remember’
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023
Start: Ontario Police College — 10716 Hacienda Rd., Aylmer, Ont.
Depart 7:30 a.m.
For the first time in our history, members of the South Simcoe Police Service will be participating in the annual ‘Ride to Remember’, which leaves from the Ontario Police College in Aylmer on Sept. 20, 2023. Riders travel to the Ontario Police Memorial in Toronto where they will join the formal kick-off to the Run/Ride to Remember on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
Our three-member ‘Ride to Remember’ team will complete this 700-km ride to honour Devon and Morgan and for all others who made the ultimate sacrifice to their community.
Canadian National Police and Peace Officers’ 46th Annual Memorial Service
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
A contingent of South Simcoe Police Service members will be attending the Canadian National Police and Peace Officers’ 46th annual Memorial Service in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2023. The names of Morgan and Devon will be read out for the first time with the National Honour Roll of Fallen Officers, which includes the service’s other fallen hero, Const. Alan Kuzmich. Morgan and Devon will be added to the Memorial Wall.
On Sept. 24, 1988, the government of Canada officially proclaimed the last Sunday of September of every year as Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. This national memorial day gives Canadians an opportunity each year to formally express appreciation for the dedication of police and peace officers who made the ultimate, tragic sacrifice to keep their communities safe.
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