Thousands attend funeral for Sgt. Ryan Russell

TORONTO, Ont. – It was a powerful sight in downtown Toronto, Tuesday.

Police officers in their full dress uniforms, and other emergency personnel, marched together towards the Metro Convention Centre for the funeral of one of their own, Sgt. Ryan Russell.

Bagpipes sounded the arrival of an 8,000-strong police procession, made up of officers from across Canada and the United States.

The procession started at 52 Division on Dundas Street West — the home division of Sgt. Russell. It moved south along University Avenue, west along Wellington Street, and then south along Simcoe Street to the Convention Centre.

The two-hour funeral service, which took place at the Convention Centre, started at 2 p.m.

The huge hall was decorated with plush bears, many floral bouquets and photographs of Russell with his wife and their two-year-old son, Nolan.

A small white floral arrangement rested in front of a picture of baby Nolan.  Across it, a white ribbon bears one word in gold letters — “daddy.”

Russell’s widow Christine made her first public speech as she addressed the mourners.

Former Toronto police chief David Boothby, who attended the service, said the entire police family and the extended family is hurting today.

“My heart goes out to the families, and also to the police families,” Boothby said.

Although many of the thousands of officers and civilians who took part in the funeral procession had never met Sgt. Russell, some told 680News they felt connected to him through their commitment to serve and protect.

Debbie, a civilian employee at 55 Division, wore a pewter pin that reads “heroes in life not death.”

“Toronto police, especially, but any police force, is one large family, and it easily could have been any officer I know. I never met him, but it doesn’t really matter, I wish I had,” she said.

One officer from Alberta lost a good friend on the job not that long ago. “You take it day by day, don’t be afraid to talk to people, get help if you need it, talk to somebody, don’t bottle it up, and that’s all you can do,” he said.

About 10,000 people attended the funeral service.

One of the most emotional tributes was from Sgt. Russell’s wife Christine, who spoke publicly for the first time since her husband’s tragic death almost a week ago.

Although there was space for 10,000 people at the Convention Centre, only 2,000 seats were available to the public at the service, with 8,000 seats set aside for officials. Large projection screens were set up in the room to allow everyone to see.

Several dignitaries also paid tribute to the fallen officer: Lt.-Gov. David Onley, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair, former chief Julian Fantino who attended Sgt. Russell’s graduation at Toronto Police College in 2000 and Toronto police Supt. Hugh Ferguson, who is commander of 52 Division where Sgt. Russell was a supervisor of the unit’s ‘A’ platoon.

The service was also filled with prayer and music, including a rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” performed by Canadian tenor John McDermott.

Chief Blair presented Sgt. Russell’s cap and a Toronto Police Service flag to his family before the final prayer was read and final salute was given.

The service was also broadcast on the big screen at Yonge-Dundas Square and outside the Air Canada Centre.

A reception, open to the public, followed the funeral.