South Simcoe Police officers return from Ottawa memorial

Police officers at the 47th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Ottawa, Ont., on Sun., Sept. 29, 2024 (Source: South Simcoe Police/Supplied)

Around 20 South Simcoe Police officers attended the 47th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Ottawa on Sunday with three fallen constables in their hearts.

The memorial service honoured officers from around the country who lost their lives in the line of duty, which meant that the group from South Simcoe Police made the trip to honour Constables Morgan Russell, Devon Northrup and Alan Kuzmich.

"It's something that we're proud to do every year just to honour them and to pay our respects," said Detective-Constable Dan Raymond from South Simcoe Police in a phone interview with CTV News.

Constables Russell and Northrup tragically lost their lives on October 11, 2022, while responding to a disturbance call. Constable Kuzmich was killed in the line of duty on August 21, 2002, while responding to a motorcycle theft.

Earlier this week, dozens of first responders honoured the fallen officers by participating in the annual Run to Remember, a 430-kilometre relay run from Toronto to Ottawa that concluded with Sunday's memorial service.

"The whole weekend for us is a pretty sombre reminder of them being around and just the legacy that they're leaving behind with us," added Detective-Constable Raymond.

South Simcoe Police will hold a memorial ceremony on Friday, October 11, to commemorate Constables Russell and Northrup. The duo and Constable Kuzmich will also be honoured at the annual Ontario Police Memorial in May.