Funeral Tuesday Expected To Be The Largest Ever For A Fallen Officer In Toronto

Toronto is preparing to mourn the tragic death, and celebrate the honourable life of Sgt. Ryan Russell on Tuesday at what is expected to be the largest ever funeral for a fallen officer in the city.

Up to 10,000 police officers, firefighters and emergency workers are expected to attend, as well as thousands from the general public.

The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 1pm, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 255 Front St. W. It will air live on Citytv and CityNews.ca.

“We are very fortunate that the Metro Toronto Convention Centre made their facilities available to us,” said Chief Bill Blair.  “The logistics of putting on an event of the magnitude is quite significant.  There will be a fairly significant procession of uniformed officers who will come from across the country and even across North America to pay their respects to our fallen officer, and then we will gather for a service in his memory.”

Russell, 35, was killed in the line of duty on January 12 after being struck by a stolen snowplow in the Avenue and Davenport area around 6am and rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital without vital signs.

His alleged killer, 44-year-old Richard Esber Kachkar, was arrested a short time later and taken to hospital, where he remains. He had been shot, reportedly three times. A second police officer was wounded during the pursuit, but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

It’s not known what prompted the suspect’s alleged rampage. The SIU is investigating.

Russell, an 11-year veteran of the force, leaves behind his wife, Christine, and their two-year-old son, Nolan.

On Thursday his family released the following statement:

We wish to thank all members of the Toronto Police Service, the Toronto Police Association and all our friends, family and all the exceptional members of the public, for their outpouring of love and support, thoughts and prayers. Every single member of Ryan’s family is touched. The warm, heartfelt comments bring much comfort to our hearts.

We also wish to thank the news media for respecting our privacy and we will continue to respectfully decline requests for comment or interviews at this time.

With gratitude, forever and always, the family of Sergeant Ryan Russell.

A Facebook memorial page has been established for Russell and a book of condolences is also available for the public to sign at Toronto police headquarters, located at 40 College St.

Visitation for Sgt. Ryan Russell takes place on Sunday, Jan. 16 from 1-5pm and on Monday, Jan. 17 from 3-7pm, at the Jerrett Funeral Home, at 8088 Yonge Street in Thornhill.


Toronto Police released the following notice regarding traffic:

Traffic disruption is anticipated on Tuesday, from 7am to 6pm, in the area of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The affected roads will include: York Street to the east, Wellington Street to the north, Lakeshore Boulevard to the south, and Spadina Avenue to the west.

Traffic disruption will also occur at the Direct Energy Centre within the CNE grounds, from 7am to 1pm.

“We are expecting thousands of people from the police family as well as members of the public,” said P.C. Tony Vella. “So people will have to expect traffic delays.”

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