Arena named in honour of officer killed in Innisfil shooting
On Tuesday, the Town of Innisfil honoured Const. Morgan Russell with the renaming of the South Innisfil Arena and community centre.
Const. Russell was killed in the line of duty last fall along with Const. Devon Northrup while responding to a home disturbance.
The town officially renamed the arena the Morgan Russell memorial arena and community centre, honouring Russell, who grew up in the Lefroy area where the community centre is located.
“Morgan grew up in Lefroy and played hockey in this building, so it felt so fitting to unveil and name the arena in his honour,” said Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin.
At the unveiling of the arena, Const. Russell’s family, friends and former colleagues paid tribute to the fallen officer with a plaque presented to the family in his honour.
“It is an emotional time for us. It is so special to have this lasting, permanent memorial for Russell, and arenas are a special place where people can gather,” said South Simcoe police Chief John Van Dyke.
Russell was a 33-year veteran of the force at the time of his death and a husband and father of two.
“It has been eight months, and it is still fresh; however, time is the healer of all wounds and events like these today help with the closure and the remembrance, and these are important,” said Chief Van Dyke.
According to Chief Van Dyke, a park in Bradford West Gwillimbury will be renamed in the coming weeks in honour of Const. Devon Northrup.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.