A fallen South Simcoe Police officer was honoured by a whole lot of officers Friday on a journey that was close to and pricey to his coronary heart.
Const. Devon Northrup was a group captain a number of years within the Nationwide Peace Officers’ Memorial Run earlier than he misplaced his life within the line of obligation in October 2022. This weekend a whole lot of officers are finishing that run that Northrup himself did 4 occasions, however this time with out him by their aspect.
Greater than 260 cops from throughout Ontario departed from the Ontario Police Memorial in Toronto on Thursday morning for a 460-km relay journey to the Nationwide Police Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
One other group of officers left a day earlier on their bikes as a part of the Experience to Keep in mind. Each are scheduled to reach in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re impressed by the households,” Det. Const. Sarah Bamford of the Barrie Police Service mentioned throughout a brief break from the run. “We’re impressed by our colleagues who’ve died within the line of obligation.”
Bamford is operating alongside 4 different Barrie Cops, together with Chief Wealthy Johnston. There are additionally three officers from the South Simcoe Police Service taking part as nicely alongside Northrup’s brother.
On Friday afternoon all of the officers rallied collectively to pay tribute to Northrup, dedicating a 10-km leg of the journey within the Kingston space in Northrup’s honour.
“This 12 months there’s many heavy hearts operating,” mentioned Bamford. “He was part of this run so we had nice recollections, we had laughs and to dedicate a leg to Devon, it was one in every of his favorite legs, it was particular and it is going to be a leg that pays tribute to him and it is a part of his legacy now on this run.”
The officers are scheduled to reach on Parliament Hill by 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Annual Memorial Service will probably be held Sunday.