The Town of Innisfil honoured the memory of slain South Simcoe police Const. Morgan Russell on Sunday night with a special ceremony in Lefroy.
His legacy was celebrated with the renaming of the lakeside community's arena. The former South Innisfil Arena and Community Centre will now be known as the Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and Community Centre.
Russell, 54, and Const. Devon Northrup, 33, were killed in the line of duty after responding to a disturbance call Oct. 11, 2022 at an Alcona home in the area of 25th Sideroad and 9th Line.
Russell’s wife, Marisa, and their daughters, Maggie and Madelaine, joined local dignitaries, members of the Innisfil and Bradford town councils, South Simcoe Police Service, including Police Chief John Van Dyke, police services board chairman Chris Gariepy, and members of the Lefroy Minor Hockey Association, including president Sherri Keates.
“Nothing felt more appropriate than renaming this arena where Morgan spent a significant portion of his early years,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said.
After a powerful rendition of the national anthem by Anna Goldsmith, Van Dyke and Gariepy revealed the artists’ rendering of the new Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and Community Centre provided by Sydney and Jamie Hardie.
“Let this arena be a tangible, enduring reminder of Morgan, his service and sacrifice, his commitment to public safety, and to making a difference in the lives of others,” said Gariepy.
“While the renaming of the arena cannot erase this incredible tragedy, we hope it serves as a legacy of the incredible contributions Morgan made to the town,” Dollin added. “To see his family, so many of his friends and members of this caring community gather to honour Morgan was truly a special moment.”
Van Dyke said: “Morgan, you are and forever will be our hero.”
Upon being presented with flowers, a banner and a Lefroy Icebreakers jersey with Russell emblazoned on the back, Russell’s widow said her husband grew up in the community and added she and her daughters were very grateful.
Keates added to that sentiment: “We often hear the term 'hockey family.' Once you are part of this family, you are always a part of this family. Morgan was an Icebreaker, is an Icebreaker and will always be an Icebreaker.”
Plans are underway to install the new sign on the arena this spring.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is also working with Northrup’s family to rename a municipal asset in his honour in that municipality. Additional details on the Northrup renaming have yet to be announced.
Sunday evening's renaming ceremony was held in conjunction with the Lefroy Minor Hockey Association’s 'Fill the Barn' event, which is dedicated to a specific individual each year, with this year being Const. Morgan Russell. Donations were also collected for the Innisfil Food Bank.
