The widow of a Toronto police officer who died in the line of duty last week will make her first public comments about her husband's death at his funeral Tuesday afternoon.

Canada's law enforcement community is also expected to appear in full force for the public funeral for Sgt. Ryan Russell, to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Prior to the funeral, a police procession will wind its way through the city's downtown.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, officers will march south on University Avenue to Wellington Street, and then head westward to Simcoe Street. The procession will continue onto Bremner Boulevard toward the Convention Centre.

Officers will line both sides of the street, and seating will be limited to the public during Tuesday's service.

Russell, 35, was struck and killed by a stolen snowplow early on Wednesday morning, leaving behind his wife Christine and two-year-old son Nolan.

  • CTV News Channel, CTV Toronto and CP24 will have live coverage of the funeral starting at 12 p.m. EST. The service will also stream live CTV.ca.

Details of wife Christine Russell's involvement in the service were released by Toronto police on Monday. Other speakers scheduled for the funeral include Toronto police Chief William Blair, Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley and Ontario MP Julian Fantino, a former Ontario Provincial Police chief.

On Monday, visitations for Russell resumed at a funeral home north of Toronto following a service on Sunday which drew hundreds of mourners. The visitation is taking place at the Jerrett Funeral Home, located at 8088 Yonge St. in Thornhill. It ends at 7 p.m.

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

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the death, with officers canvassing residents in the central Toronto neighbourhood where Russell died.

Police are also asking for people to come forward if their property was damaged, as the snowplow had been driven erratically through the area early Wednesday.

Since Russell's death, mourners 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.

Estimates have suggested a crowd well into the thousands will be on hand on Tuesday for the elaborate public ceremony, from local police officers to representatives from forces across the country and the United States, as well as the public at large.

Toronto Police Transit Services has been warning drivers to avoid the downtown area near the convention centre whenever possible during the service. The disruptions will last until 6 p.m.

Richard Kachkar, 44, is charged with first-degree murder in Russell's death. On Monday evening, he was transferred from hospital to a Toronto-area detention centre.

Kachkar had been in hospital under police guard as he recovered from bullet wounds suffered during his arrest.

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

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Reg Hoover said that being an officer is all about confronting danger for the good of society.

"Everybody has the same feeling," he said outside the visitation Monday. "You never know whether you're going to come home. But we do it."

On Tuesday, several roads in Toronto's core will be affected by the funeral:

  • At 9 a.m., University Avenue will be closed between College and Queen Streets.
  • At 10 a.m. University Avenue will be shut from Front Street to College Street.
  • Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., several blocks of Lower Simcoe Street and Bremner Boulevard will be closed
  • Traffic will also be affected in the area of the Direct Energy Centre at the CNE grounds from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.