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
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.