It's been nearly two months since the tragic shooting deaths of South Simcoe Police Service's Constables Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup.
The Bradford West Gwillimbury/Innisfil Police Services Board held its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 23 where they reflected on the aftermath of the loss.
The pair were shot and killed in the line of duty after responding to a call for a disturbance at a home on Somers Boulevard in Alcona on Oct. 11.
This was the first Board meeting since the horrific event.
Acting Chief Van Dyke reflected on the aftermath of the tragedy and its effects on the Service.
“[We lost] two of our officers in cold blood,” said Van Dyke, noting the loss has had a major impact on the Service, the community, and the policing community.
"The amount of support that we have received from the Board, from our municipalities, from our community, from our policing community has been completely overwhelming. And I’m not going to lie, it’s been a pretty tough go, but we are starting to come out of it, starting to see the signs of improvement… I’m grateful and thankful for every member of our service that stepped up during that time.”
Following the tragedy, hundreds of thank you cards were written by the Service for those who have stepped up to offer their condolences, as the Town of Innisfil continues to heal together.
Van Dyke thanked the Innisfil Fire & Rescue Services, Simcoe County’s Paramedics, the Barrie Police, the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Chief of York Regional Police, and the staff at Royal Victoria Hospital for all their support over the past couple of months.
