BLUE TEARS: City says goodbye to hero cop Jeffrey Northrup

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A tsunami of blue tears washed over the city on Monday as Toronto said goodbye to a true hero.

Thousands of cops and civilians lined the streets for the funeral of Det.-Const. Jeffrey Northrup, who was murdered in the line of duty early on July 2.

Northrup, 55, a married father of three — aged 21, 19, and 17 — had served the city as a Toronto police officer for 31 years.

A final tribute for Northrup was held at BMO Field under an overcast sky with attendance curtailed because of COVID-19.

He was the 40th Toronto officer killed in the line of duty since 1900. Northrup was responding to a robbery report in an underground parking lot at Toronto City Hall when detectives say he was intentionally struck by a vehicle.

For the great and the good, and the public at large, the loss of a cop described as relentlessly cheerful was a devastating blow.

For his family, his loss is unspeakable.

In her eulogy, Northrup’s wife Margaret revealed the pair “met in jail” while he worked as a court officer, and she gave inmates their meds.

“It was love at first sight,” she told mourners. “He loved life to the fullest.”

And, she added, Northrup also loved his job: “Ridiculously so.”

At home, he was a caring, empathetic partner and father, always ready to lend a hand whether it was the Special Olympics, lacrosse or the scouting movement.

“Your daddy loved you all so much,” Margaret told her children as tears streamed down her face. “Jeffy … boo bear… I am so grateful to have had you in my life for 28 years.”

The procession departed Thornhill at 10:30 a.m., made its way down Yonge St., before heading  west on Dundas St. W., passing 52 Division, where Northrup worked. Members of the public lined the route.

Representatives from more than 50 different organizations — some from police services as far away as Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec, and Vancouver — attended the service.

Premier Doug Ford’s voice cracked with emotion as he touched on the terrible tragedy.

“He put his life on the line in order to serve and protect his community, and this is a debt that we will never be able to repay. So we will remain in debt to his service and always honour his sacrifice,” Ford said.

“Jeff was one of the best amongst us and a credit to the duty of policing.”

Also speaking was Toronto Mayor John Tory, who arrived at 52 Division in the immediate aftermath of Northrup’s slaying.

“To Jeff Northrup: Thank you for being a good person, for being a good family man, and for being a good police officer,” Tory said.

“You were a peacemaker and a peace officer. May your life of service be blessed and may you rest in peace knowing that your colleagues and all of the people who you served with such care and such distinction are eternally grateful for your humanity and for your services.”

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An undercurrent to the service was strained relations between the police and some of the city’s communities. Northrup, his fellow officers suggested, was the sort of cop the service needs most right now.

Toronto Police Chief James Ramer encouraged the officers of his heartbroken service to carry on for Northrup.

“Jeff was a genuinely lovely and caring man who was fair and friendly to everyone he encountered as a police officer,” Ramer said.

“When he was off duty, he was a selfless and kind neighbour, a mentor, and a coach, beloved by everyone. Most importantly, he was a dedicated family man to his wife and three children, whom he adored, whom were his life.”

Ramer added: “When our confidence waivers, we must think about Jeff, about his unshakable commitment to the city and his family.”

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Cops who knew Northrup best described him as a “gentle giant” who would arrive at work with brownies he’d just baked.

“Early morning day shifts often started quite early for Jeff, far earlier than the schedule dictated,” his 52 Division boss, Supt. Greg Cole, told mourners.

“You would get to work a half-hour early expecting to be the first person there. Instead, Jeff was already there sitting at his desk typing away at a case. He would greet you with a warm inviting smile and you would sit down and immediately notice that the office was gleaming. That was because Jeff had mopped the floor prior to your arrival,” said Cole. “Then a smell would hit you, a smell that felt comforting, felt like home. That is when you would realize a pot of his signature chili was simmering in the slow cooker.

Cole added: “That was Jeff and his day wouldn’t start there. It started at home where his heart was. Many early day shifts would see Jeff wake up a few hours after midnight so he could do a load of laundry for the family and make lunches.”

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On Monday, carrying the veteran cop’s hat was his partner, Det. Const. Lisa Forbes, who was injured in the tragic encounter that killed Northrup.

So far, detectives have been tight-lipped about what went down in that underground garage on July 2 other than Ramer describing the attack as “intentional and deliberate”. Police have so far not suggested a motive.

Little is known about the accused killer, Umar Zameer, 31, who has been charged with first-degree murder. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on July 23.

The Northrup family has established a GoFundMe to help Margaret and her children Brennen, Samantha and Mitchell.

Plans called for Northrup to be buried at a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.

bhunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun