The Maple Leafs are joining Torontonians in mourning a police officer killed in the line of duty earlier this week.
The hockey team is preparing a tribute Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre before their match up against the Calgary Flames.
One media report suggests hockey commentator Don Cherry will don Sgt. Ryan Russell's police hockey sweater during a segment. The sweater belonged to Russell when he worked with the Gun and Gang unit.
A tribute is also being held overseas in Afghanistan. The Toronto Police Service flag is flying at half-mast at a military based outside Kandahar City. Const. Jeff Alderdice is on a tour of duty and is stationed at the base. Alderdice said he sought permission to lower the flag as a way of extending his sympathies and expressing his personal grief.
A private visitation was held Saturday at a funeral home just north of the city in Thornhill. A public visitation will be held Sunday and Monday at the Jerrett funeral home.
The 35-year-old Russell was killed Wednesday when he was struck by a stolen snowplow on Avenue Road near Davenport. He leaves behind a wife and two-year-old son.
Richard Kachkar, 44, faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with Russell's murder. He is also facing two additional counts of attempted murder.
