Skip to main content

A Police Officer signs a condolence book in memory of Sergeant Ryan Russell at Toronto Police Headquarters on Thursday January 13, 2011 .Chris Young/The Globe and Mail

A Toronto police officer who was killed while trying to stop a stolen snowplow will get a special honour Friday.

A small park in the heart of the city will be officially renamed the Sergeant Ryan Russell Park.

Police Chief Bill Blair and Mayor Rob Ford will be at the ceremony Friday afternoon, along with members of Russell's family.

The park, located at 250 Avenue Rd. near Dupont Street, was formerly known as the Dupont Parkette.

Toronto council voted in February to honour Russell, an 11-year veteran of the city's police force, by renaming the park.

The 35-year-old officer died after being struck by a snowplow in January, and a 44-year-old man is charged with first-degree murder in his death.

Interact with The Globe