Barrie funeral home holds visitation for slain officer

Family, friends and colleagues of a York Regional Police officer killed in the line of duty were gathering Tuesday in Barrie to pay their respects.

Visitation for Const. Robert Plunkett,a 43-year-old father of three,was being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home.

A full police funeral will be held Wednesday at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex in Newmarket. More than 6,000 people are expected to attend, police say.

Plunkett, the first York Region officer to die on duty since 1984, was investigating air-bag thefts last Thursday when he tried to make an arrest.

He was dragged by a car that police say was put in reverse. He was then pinned between a tree and the car's open door.

Two men face charges in connection with the death, including a 19-year-old who is charged with manslaughter.