Police, officials gather in Barrie, Ont., for funeral for two slain officers

Two police officers killed in Ontario last week were remembered as dedicated and courageous at a joint funeral today.

Families, friends and colleagues shared memories about South Simcoe Police Service Constable Devon Northrup and Constable Morgan Russell at the service in a Barrie, Ontario, arena.

Russell served as a police officer for 33 years, choosing to stay on past retirement age and pass over promotions to keep working on the front lines.

The service heard that Russell was on the hiring panel that interviewed Northrup.

Speakers said Northrup was kind and funny, and made a mark in his six years on the force.

Both men's spouses spoke about saying goodbye to their loved ones on the day they didn't come home.

The officers died in hospital last week after they were shot during a disturbance call at an Innisfil home.

The province's police watchdog has said neither officer drew their firearms before they were shot.

Officers from around the province and across Canada joined emergency responders and officials at the service.

It was the second funeral in the province held in the past month for police officers killed on the job.