Thousands of police officers from across North America are expected to attend Tuesday's funeral for a Toronto officer killed in the line of duty.

The 1 p.m. service for Sgt. Ryan Russell will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, located near the intersection of Front Street West and John Street.

Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, said Friday that these last few days have been a never-ending nightmare for Russell's family.

"We are there to do everything we can to help," he said.

McCormack said Tuesday's event will be a formal police funeral.

Finalized funeral arrangements will be known on Monday.

Toronto police are warning there will be traffic disruptions in the area around the convention centre, particularly on York Street, Wellington Street, Spadina Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard. The disruptions will last until 6 p.m.

Traffic disruption is also expected at the Direct Energy Centre inside the CNE grounds from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

On Sunday and Monday, visitations will be held at the Jerrett Funeral Home, located at 8088 Yonge St. in Thornhill.

Sunday's visitation will take place between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday's is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ryan died of injuries suffered after a stolen snowplow struck him early Wednesday morning at the intersection of Avenue and Davenport Roads.

About an hour later, members of the Emergency Task Force arrested a suspect in a takedown that involved gunfire. The suspect was wounded and taken to St. Michael's Hospital.

On Friday, a justice of the peace formally arraigned Richard Kachkar, 44, by telephone on a charge of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Kachkar remains in hospital under guard, but is well enough to understand the charges against him, police told CTV Toronto.

The suspect has a court date scheduled for Jan. 21.

No allegations against Kachkar have been proven in a court of law.

Russell is the first Toronto officer to die in the line of duty since 2002.

The 11-year veteran, whose father was a Toronto police officer, was promoted to sergeant in August 2010 after spending about four years with the guns and gangs task force.

He leaves behind his wife Christine and two-year-old son Nolan.

Russell's family issued a statement on Thursday: "We wish to thank all members of the Toronto Police Service, the Toronto Police Association and all our friends, family and all the exceptional members of the public, for their outpouring of love and support, thoughts and prayers.

"Every single member of Ryan's family is touched. The warm, heartfelt comments bring much comfort to our hearts," they said.

People have been flocking to Toronto police headquarters to sign a book of condolences. A makeshift memorial also sprang up at the intersection where Russell was killed.

The city of Toronto has been flying flags at half-staff outside its buildings since Russell died.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Sneha Kulkarni