Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders introduced the newest member of the mounted unit on Tuesday -- a four-year-old purebred Clydesdale named ‘Russell.’
The event, which took place at the Toronto Police Service Mounted Horse Palace, honoured the life of Sgt. Ryan Russell, a Toronto police officer who was killed in the line of duty back in 2011.
‘Russell’ the horse has been named in honour of Sgt. Russell.
Russell's now 7-year-old son Nolan was the first to saddle up and take a ride.
"He's old enough now to appreciate the honour he's been given," Christine, the widow of Sgt. Russell, said about Nolan. "He's never been on a horse before and for his first ride to be on a horse named after his father, it's a very special opportunity."
Russell was struck and killed by a stolen snowplow in the early morning hours of Jan. 12, 2011. He was struck as he got out of his cruiser to try and stop the snowplow, which was veering into oncoming traffic.
Russell was an 11-year veteran of the Toronto police force and, at that time, the first police officer killed in the line of duty since 2002.
"There's been a lot of hard days, a lot of negative days and hard blows for my family to accept. So when something like this happens, it's a special moment for my family. It's a wonderful way to remember Ryan," Christine said.
"He's (Nolan) well aware his father is in heaven. He remembers his dad, we talk about him. But I keep him well adjusted. He's a happy, healthy little boy who is all about Lego and Minecraft."
When asked to clarify what she meant by negative days, Chrstine said her family has struggled with the verdict in her husband's murder trial.
The man driving the snowplow -- Richard Kachkar -- was deemed to have been mentally ill when he killed the police officer and was found not criminally responsible for his death in 2013.
"Obviously, I don't feel justice was served in his name," she said.
Christine said the horse will wear a personalized crest designed for the Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band during ceremonial rides and events.
