Thousands of police officers from across Canada attended BMO Field to pay tribute to Toronto Police Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup, a 31-year veteran with the service and a father of three who died in the line of duty earlier in July.

Northrup, who was killed last week in the line of duty, was remembered at his funeral Monday as a ‘kind, gentle giant who loved his family deeply’ and was quick to lend a hand to colleagues.

The officer’s casket was draped in the Canadian flag and wheeled into the sports stadium in sombre silence just before 1:30 p.m.

His partner Detective Constable Lisa Forbes carried the slain officer’s hat as the pallbearers entered the stadium. Forbes was injured in the July 2nd incident that claimed Northrup’s life. His cap and a medal sat on pillows atop of the casket as the service began.

Northrup’s wife, Margaret, told the crowd that her husband loved life and life loved him back. She praised his kind heart and amazing work effort. Her voice strained with emotion as she talked of their children Brennen, 21, Samantha, 19, and Mitchell, 17.

“Jeff had two families. I never doubted his love and dedication to myself or our children,” she told an estimated 4,700 people, including cops from Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec and Vancouver. “Everything he did was for us. We worked as a couple in a team to raise our children to love, respect and have empathy to everyone who crossed their paths in life.”

She said Jeff’s second family with his police family. “As a court officer to police constable, he was always proud to wear and serve the uniform and badge.”

“Brennen, Samantha, Mitchell, your daddy loves you all so much,” she vowed. “He was proud of your dreams, goals and accomplishments. He would want you to continue loving and experiencing life to the fullest.”

The couple were married for 28 years.

The two-hour funeral service followed a procession along Lake Shore Boulevard West and into the Exhibition Place grounds. Officers lined Princes’ Boulevard as the procession approached BMO Field, accompanied by a marching band and mounted unit officers.

Premier Doug Ford, Mayor John Tory and Toronto Police Services Board chair Jim Hart were among the officials in attendance.

Northrup was killed July 2 when he was struck by a vehicle while responding to a report of a robbery in progress at an underground parking lot at Toronto City Hall. Investigators have since described the incident as an “intentional and deliberate act” and have charged a 31-year-old with first-degree murder in Northrup’s death.

Interim Toronto Police Chief James Ramer described the incident as an “intentional, deliberate attack.” “As a police officer, there is no greater burden and no greater honour than to bear witness to the bravery of a fallen officer lost in service to our city,” Ramer told the crowd.

Northrup started his career in Court Services in 1989 and had spent more than 31 years with the Toronto Police Service at the time of his death, including the last 13 as an officer with 52 Division in busy downtown Toronto.

He was also an active member of the Brampton community, having volunteered as a Scout leader, as a coach with various lacrosse teams and with the Special Olympics.

Prior to Northrup’s funeral on Monday a procession was held from the Kane-Jarrett Funeral Home in Thornhill, Ont., to the stadium.

Northrup is the first Toronto police officer to be killed in the line of duty since the murder of Sgt. Ryan Russell in January 2011.

He will be buried at a private ceremony attended by close friends and family.