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Two South Simcoe officers killed while responding to disturbance

October 21, 2022   ·   0 Comments

Constable Devon Northrup and Constable Morgan Russell of the South Simcoe Police Service lost their lives while on active duty.

The incident that led to the police officers deaths occurred on October 11, 2022, at 7:55 p.m., while responding to a disturbance at a home in the area of 25th Sideroad and 9th Line in Innisfil.

The officers were shot inside the home and later succumb to their injuries at hospital. The 22-year old suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Constable Northrup, was 33-years-old and a six-year member of the service. He was assigned to the Community Mobilization and Engagement Unit and the mental health Crisis Outreach and Support Team and Emergency Response Unit. He is survived by his partner, his parents and his friends.

Constable Morgan, age 54, was a 33-year veteran of the service. He was assigned to uniform patrol and was a trained crisis negotiator. He is survived by his wife, two teenage children and his parents.

“This is a heartbreaking time for our police service, the families impacted, our emergency services personnel and our communities. Our immediate focus is to support our members and their grieving families,” said Acting Chief John Van Dyke. “I wish to thank our local first responder partners who rushed to the scene, and to everyone offering their condolences and support to our police service.”

Escorted by police cruisers from South Simcoe Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and York Regional Police, Constable Russell and Constable Northrup’s bodies travelled from the Office of the Chief Coroner in Toronto to Barrie, while fellow police officers and other first responders saluted from overpasses along the Highway 400 corridor.

A private funeral service for Constables Morgan Russell and Devon Michael Northrup will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Sadlon Arena in Barrie.

“Members of the public are invited to observe the funeral procession as it travels from the Adams Fu-neral Home and Cremation Services Ltd. at 445 St. Vincent Street, Barrie and the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Homes at 30 Worsley Street, Barrie to the Sadlon Arena,” said Chief Van Dyke. “While we appreciate the publics support, the funeral is not open to the public, but will include other police services and emergency service personnel.”

Visitations for Constables Russell and Northrup were also held privately.

“The Bradford West Gwillimbury/Innisfil Police Services Board offers its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of PC Morgan Russell and PC Devon Michael Northrup,” said Chief Van Dyke. “The shocking and senseless deaths of these two beloved police officers have devastated their families, our Police Service, and our communities. Together, we mourn the loss of two dedicated officers who served with great pride and passion. To our members, we know you are heartbroken. The South Simcoe Police Service is a tight-knit family. We grieve this profound loss with you and offer our unwavering support. In this time of intense sorrow, we hope that you will find some solace by supporting each other and utilizing the various support and resources available to you through the [police] service.

“To our residents, words cannot describe our gratitude for your love and support as we all try to com-prehend this unimaginable tragedy. The outpouring of your expressions of condolence are evidence of the wonderful relationship the service enjoys with its citizens. We are fortunate.

We want to thank the Innisfil Fire and Rescue Service and County of Simcoe Paramedic Services for their care.

“To our policing partners, the Barrie Police Service, York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police, we are so grateful for the immense support you have shown to our Service as it continues to serve our communities, while dealing with immense grief and loss. During Constable Russell’s 33-year career and Constable Northrup’s six years of service, they made a difference in many lives. Our offic-ers serve and protect the members of our communities every day with compassion and courage de-spite the very real risks of their calling. Constables Northrup and Russell made the ultimate sacrifice. They will never be forgotten.”

Front line service for the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and the Town of Innisfil will be provided by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on behalf of the South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS) during the visitations and funeral service for the fallen officers – from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, through 7 a.m. on Friday, October 21. During this time the SSPS North Division at 2137 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil and South Division at 81 Melbourne Drive, Bradford, including the Collision Reporting Centres, will be closed to the public. The OPP will be present at both locations. Members of the public can continue to call the SSPS non-emergency lines at 705-436-2141 or 905-775-3311, which will be redirected to the OPP, or the OPP Provincial Communications Centre directly at 1-888-310-1122. In an emergency call 9-1-1.

Donations in memory of PC Russell can be made to Wounded Warriors Canada at https://woundedwarriors.ca/donate/. A scholarship fund in the name of Devon Michael Northrup is being set up through the National Peace Officers Memorial. More information to follow.

York Regional Police are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances of this case and Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has invoked its mandate. Further details (at press time) had not yet been released by police.

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