Community members are invited to a candlelight vigil tonight at Innisfil Community Church in honour of the two South Simcoe Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty after responding to a call for a disturbance at a home on Somers Boulevard in Alcona Tuesday night.
The two officers were identified as Const. Morgan Russell and Const. Devon Northrup at a press conference held earlier today by South Simcoe Police at Innisfil Town Hall.
The two officers were shot inside the home, according to police. The suspect, a 23-year-old male who lived inside the home with his grandparents, was later pronounced deceased following an interaction with police.
Northrup was 33 years old and a six-year member of the service currently assigned to the Community Mobilization and Engagement Unit. Const. Northrup is survived by his partner, his parents and his many close friends. He also served as a member of our mental health Crisis Outreach and Support Team and the Emergency Response Unit.
Const. Russell, was aged 54 and 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 and two teenage children.
"This is a heartbreaking time for our police service, the families impacted, our emergency services personnel and our communities," said John Van Dyke, interim police chief of South Simcoe Police. “Words cannot describe our grief...Our immediate focus is to support our members and their grieving families."
A vigil will be held this evening at Innisfil Community Church, 1571 Innisfil Beach Rd. at 7 p.m.
A book of condolences has been made available inside the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury's Leisure Centre at 471 West Park Ave.
Support is available to residents through CMHA- Simcoe County's 24/7 crisis line (1-888-893-8333) and Kids Help Phone (1-800-688-6868).
