Toronto Policeman’s Funeral Draws Officers from Across North America

Sgt. Ryan Russell was killed while trying to stop a hijacked snowplow on Jan. 12.

It was a senseless crime if there ever was one. Last Wednesday Richard Kachkar allegedly stole an unattended snowplow and went on a two-hour rampage through the city. Russell tried to stop the vehicle but was struck as he did so, and later died in hospital. Today Toronto police officers will be joined by officers from across Canada and the U.S. in a procession that will close parts of the city as it makes its way through the downtown core towards the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where thousands of police and civilians are expected to attend Russell’s funeral. Russell is the first Toronto police officer to be killed on duty since Laura Ellis died in a car crash in 2002.