The wife of slain Toronto police officer Sgt. Ryan Russell told thousands of mourners that her husband died while on duty last week because he was a selfless man devoted to his job.
"Ryan always put others before himself. On January 12, that cost him his life," said wife Christine Russell, making her first public comments about her loss during a massive public funeral Tuesday afternoon.
"I am so honoured to stand here right now. Because of all of you I am brave enough to stand here."
A sea of police officers from across the country gathered in a downtown Toronto convention centre to honour Sgt. Russell, a family man who died on the job a week ago.
A massive crowd of officers wearing formal blues, Mounties wearing formal reds, emergency crews, firefighters and members of the public filled a hall in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to capacity.
Russell, 35, was struck and killed while trying to stop a stolen snowplow early on Wednesday morning.
- A special trust fund has been set up to help Sgt. Russell's widow and their young son. Anybody wishing to donate can do so at any CIBC branch, transit No. 04392 and account No. 00 18139. The bank number is 010.
The 11-year veteran, whose father was also a Toronto police officer, was promoted to sergeant only six months ago after spending about four years with the guns and gangs task force.
"Ryan, we are all so proud of you. You are an amazing husband. You're the best dad. You're an amazing son, brother, uncle. You're a grandson, a wonderful friend, an amazing colleague," said Christine Russell.
"We are so honoured to have been a part of your life, Ryan. You are an inspiration. You are our hero."
Along with his wife, he leaves behind his two-year-old son Nolan.
Following the final speech, pallbearers carried the officer's flag-draped casket out of the venue to "Amazing Grace," which was played on bagpipes.
The public funeral follows a week of tributes and memorials to Russell, who has been remembered as a dedicated serviceman and loving father and husband.
In an emotional speech, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair told the crowd that Russell "was determined to make a difference in his community."
"He had the courage to place himself in harm's way to protect others. He was a good man and he was a good cop. He will be remembered and he will be missed."
A procession of bag pipes ushered Russell's casket into the otherwise silent hall shortly after 2 p.m. Thousands stood as the casket, draped in a Canadian flag, was carried to the front by eight uniformed pallbearers.
Ontario MP and former Toronto police chief Julian Fantino said that he handed Russell his badge 11 years ago when he entered the force, and he added that the officer will be remembered as a "modern-day hero."
Fantino said that Russell was a devoted husband and a diligent police officer who practiced "duty above self" during his career.
"Ryan's life had no contradictions: he was equally predisposed to do good both on and off duty," Fantino told the crowd.
After the national anthem was sung near the beginning of the service, Toronto Police Service Staff Supt. Jeff McGuire led the hall in a moment of silence before addressing the crowd.
McGuire said he met Russell only one day before his death, when the 52 Division sergeant helped negotiate the end to a police standoff on a downtown street.
"My impression of Ryan was exactly what we have all heard about since his death. He was happy, he smiled, he looked good in uniform and he was in charge of his people," said a visibly emotional McGuire.
The elaborate public funeral drew a crowd of more than 12,000 from across Canada and North America. Officers were seen wearing uniforms from forces across southern Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and the State of New York, to name only a few.
A "truly remarkable person"
Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley called Russell a "truly remarkable person" by any measure, saying he was moved by the enormous outpouring of emotion the sergeant's death had created.
"We have been affected because, in life and death, Ryan represented the virtues we admire most as a city, as a province and as a nation. The virtues are courage and character. Our outpouring of respect for it is a large part of who he was as a person and who we are as a people."
Members of the public began lining up outside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as early as 8 a.m. Tuesday, intent on showing their respect for the fallen sergeant.
Ardith Quanbury was the first person in line Tuesday morning, and broke into tears as she tried to explain why she came so early.
"I am extremely grateful to all of the police who keep our great city safe," Quanbury said. "I am deeply saddened, like we all are, that Sgt. Ryan Russell gave his life for our city. I just wanted to express my gratitude and my respect to his family."
Busloads of mourners from across Canada and the United States began arriving at the funeral venue early Tuesday morning, while thousands of officers walked in unison from Russell's downtown 52 Division headquarters to the convention centre ahead of the service.
Russell's colleagues at 52 Division and those he had worked with for years at Toronto's Guns and Gangs Unit led the 12,000-strong procession of officers, paramedics, firefighters and members of the Canadian Forces.
Officers wearing uniforms from dozens of Canadian forces lined both sides of University Avenue as the procession weaved its way toward the convention centre. Many officers wore pins emblazoned with Russell's badge number 7686.
Officers saluted a hearse containing Russell's body as it arrived at the hall after travelling through the sombre downtown streets and crowds that had gathered in silence.
Toronto Police Transit Services warned drivers to avoid the downtown area near the convention centre whenever possible during the service. The disruptions will last until 6 p.m.
