TORONTO – Thunder Bay Chief of Police Robert Herman, in his role as President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has expressed his condolences to the friends and family of Sergeant Ryan Russell of the Toronto Police Service. The Sergeant was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday.Ontario’s police leaders today join with all police personnel across Ontario in mourning the tragic death of Sergeant Ryan Russell of the Toronto Police Service, whose ultimate sacrifice on behalf of his fellow citizens illustrates the selfless devotion to duty which characterizes police officers across Ontario and Canada.
“Police leaders know that when we send out our officers to fulfill their duties, we do so knowing full well that they put their lives on the line. Sergeant Russell’s devotion to duty is evidenced by the tragic circumstances that led to his putting the safety and well-being of others before his own,” said Chief Robert Herman, President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). “His death in the line of duty touches all police officers and represents the greatest sacrifice that an officer can make for his or her fellow citizens. He must be remembered as a genuine Canadian hero”
Chief Herman expressed his condolences to Sergeant Russell’s family, particularly his wife and young child, as well as the men and women who serve with the Toronto Police Service. Sergeant Russell was 35-years-old and an 11-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service.
“We must not forget the sacrifice of Sergeant Russell; we must honour him and the men and women across our province who put on a uniform to serve others,” said Herman. “The Rev. Martin Luther King once said that, ‘Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?’ Sergeant Russell answered that question by his willingness to sacrifice his life for others.”