Three children of fallen Toronto police officer given hats with father's badge number at memorial
The three children of a Toronto police officer who died in the line of duty this summer were presented official police hats bearing their dad's badge number.
Det. Constable Jeff Northrup’s three children, along with their mother Margaret, attended a memorial for their dad at the Police Memorial at Queen’s Park.
It was the first public event they’ve attended since Northrup’s funeral this summer.
The caps were presented by Toronto’s Police Chief James Raymer, who said the family is coping as best they can.
“You know they are doing pretty good, it is tough, particularity for Margaret, every time she hears his name, but they seem to be managing pretty well,” she said.
The 52 division officer died after he was hit by a vehicle while answering a robbery call in the Toronto City Hall underground July 2nd.
Const. Jeff Northrup is identified by Toronto Police 52 Division in this undated photo. (Toronto Police 52 Division)
The officer was in plain clothes at the time and was run over.
Police arrested 31-year-old Umar Zameer of Thornhill, and charged him with first degree murder.
He had been in jail since his arrest but just yesterday, the Northrup family learned he was released on bail.
The Northrup family declined to be interviewed, but Raymer said he spoke to them about the bail.
“I think it is concerning, just because of the nature of the event and loss of Jeff. It’s tough for them.”
Thursday’s event was part of the National Peace Officer’s annual run, where pre-COVID, officers would run a three-day relay from the memorial in Toronto to Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a ceremony.
But during the pandemic, the runs have either been virtual or short runs to mark the day. Thursday, a short run led by Northrup’s son Mitchell, from Queen’s Park to 52 Police Division, where Northrup was stationed. There they were met by cheers from division officers then a minute of silence for their fallen colleague.
The officers jogged back to the memorial placing candles by the names of the fallen, which include Sgt. Ryan Russell also of 52 Division and Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis, shot dead in the summer of 1994 while on duty.
Constable Laurie McCann was friends with both Northrup and Baylis.
“Why we are doing this? For these officers who have given their life in the line of duty. Jeff and Todd Baylis was a friend of mine as well, so I kind of think about them and they are not here and all we can do is take time out of our day and run for them.”
As dusk fell, the officers took time for private reflection at the always growing monument of those who have fallen in the line of duty.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Passage of harsh anti-2SLGBTQ+ law in Iraq draws diplomatic backlash
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
A munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclear
Security was tight around a military base in southwestern Cambodia on Sunday, a day after a huge explosion there killed 20 soldiers, wounded others and damaged nearby houses.