First responders honour fallen South Simcoe officers with memorial run

Dozens of first responders gathered in Bradford to kick off the local leg of the memorial Run to Remember, honouring two fallen South Simcoe Police officers.

On Wednesday afternoon, officers assembled at the South Division for the start of the run, which is part of a larger provincial event.

The run is in memory of constables Devon Northrup and Morgan Russell, who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022.

Officers with the South Simcoe service, plus those from Barrie and Sudbury, are also participating in the event that took the group to Devon Northrup Memorial Park, then onward to Alan Kuzmich Memorial Park.

"I hope my team remembers the sacrifice of these officers, and that our community continues to appreciate the work our officers do to keep everyone safe," said South Simcoe Police Chief John Van Dyke about the significance of the event.

Many of the officers participating in the Bradford run will head to Toronto for the next stage of the journey, a 430-kilometre memorial run from Toronto to Ottawa.

The run will conclude in the nation's capital ahead of the Peace Officer's Memorial Service on Parliament Hill this Sunday.