Edmontonians, Canadian police officers line streets to say farewell to fallen EPS officers
Community members and police services from across the country gathered on Monday to mourn two Edmonton Police Service officers killed in the line of duty earlier this month.
The procession route from the Alberta legislature to Rogers Place was lined with supporters showing their respect ahead of the regimental funeral for constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan.
At least 35 first responders, government agencies, military and law enforcement services participated in the procession and regimental funeral, according to EPS.
An Edmonton teacher, Sophia, and her two children watched as the long column of officers passed through the legislature grounds. They proudly held a sign that read, "Thank you for your service."
As a teacher, Sophia says she sees first-hand the impact that school resource officers and EPS members make on a daily basis. She brought her sons to witness the procession and see the mix of officers and service members.
Edmonton teacher Sophia and her two sons watch the procession of law enforcement and government agencies toward Rogers Place on Monday, March 27, 2023 (CTV News Edmonton/Matt Marshall).
"I think it's really important to see the vast number of people who put their lives at risk every single day to make sure that we are safe in this community and people are taken care of," she told CTV News Edmonton.
'AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME'
Toronto Chief of Police Myron Demkiw marched in the procession alongside fellow police officers from across the country.
"We are here to pay respect," Demkiw said. "It's an incredibly difficult time in policing right now."
"Regrettably, in the last year, we've seen too many police funerals, and as I look around today on this parade square, I can see uniforms from all over our great country," he added.
"[This] brings us together in a way, unlike any other event, quite frankly: the grief, the sorrow and the healing that we will embark on in the coming days, weeks and months."
A blue ribbon is wrapped on a light post along the processional route to the regimental funeral on Monday, March 27, 2023 (CTV News Edmonton/Dave Mitchell).
'BEST WISHES FORWARD'
A father of one of the police members marching watched the solemn procession downtown.
Kevin told CTV News Edmonton it was both a proud and difficult moment as he saw Brian, his son, march by. Brian's girlfriend, Alexa, is also a police officer.
"I'm very proud of them and what they do," Kevin explained. "On the other hand, it's scary.
"We need to show our support more," he added. "Everything they do for our communities and keeping us safe."
"We are here to put our support forward and grieve as a family and just put all our best wishes forward."
Police salute during the procession for Edmonton Police Service constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan in Edmonton, Monday, March 27, 2023 (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson).
Christine, whose husband is an RCMP officer, was outside Rogers Place. She described the 11 days since the fatal shooting of the EPS constables as incredibly emotional.
"It's hard for me as a spouse who has gone through worrying nights of not knowing what is happening," she said. "I also have friends who are members working night shifts, you never know what they are going to be responding to.
"I can't imagine what those wives are going through – and family members."
RCMP members wait to proceed into Rogers Place ahead of the regimental funeral and celebration of life for two fallen EPS officers on Monday, March 27, 2023 (CTV News Edmonton/Dave Mitchell).
'A DAY OF COMING TOGETHER'
Retired Canadian Armed Forces signal corps member Walter Sinclair said he attended the procession because he knows how important it is for grieving families to be supported by their community.
"Anyone that serves in any capacity, in policing or the military, we have to support," Sinclair said. "We have to come forward."
"It's a disheartening time," he added. "There's a lot of pain. But there's comfort in coming together."
Dan Jones, criminologist and retired EPS inspector, joined CTV News Edmonton's coverage of the procession and recalled participating in Const. Daniel Woodall's regimental funeral eight years ago.
Like the 2015 funeral, he described Monday's commemoration as sobering and beautiful.
"It's a day of coming together," Jones said. "It's really nice to see the city wrapping around the police again."
"It's cold out today," he added, "[but Edmontonians] are making sure they are showing their support for the brave men and women of the Edmonton Police Service."
Agencies that participated in the funeral march included:
- Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services
- Alberta Health Services Protective Services
- Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services
- Alberta Correctional Services
- Alberta Sheriffs
- Blood Tribe Police Service
- British Columbia Sheriff Service
- Calgary Police Service
- Camrose Police Service
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Canadian Air Force Military Police Group
- City of Calgary Emergency Management Agency
- City of Edmonton Bylaw Services
- City of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services
- CN Police Service
- Correctional Services of Canada
- CP Police Service
- Durham Regional Police Service
- Edmonton Police Service Veterans’ Association
- Fredericton Police Force
- Greater Sudbury Police Service
- Halifax Regional Police
- Lacombe Police Service
- Le Service de Police de Laval
- Medicine Hat Police Service
- New York State Police
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ottawa Police Service
- Peel Regional Police
- Police Association of Ontario
- Prince Albert Police Service
- RCMP
- Red Deer Emergency Services
- Saanich Police Department
- Saskatoon Police Service
- Springfield Police Service
- St. Albert Fire Service
- St. Paul Fire Department
- Summerside Police Service
- Sûreté du Québec
- Taber Police Service
- Toronto Police Service
- Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service
- Vancouver Police Department
- Victoria Police Department
- Waterloo Regional Police Service
- Winnipeg Police Service
- York Regional Police
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Carmen Leibel and Erin Isfeld
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.
UPDATED
UPDATED | 'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
Engaged couple shot dead days before moving out of house near Hamilton
An engaged couple was shot dead while fleeing their landlord near Hamilton just days before they were scheduled to move out of their apartment.
Federal Court of Appeal: Canada not constitutionally obligated to bring home suspected ISIS fighters
The Government of Canada has won its appeal and will not be legally forced to repatriate four Canadian men from prisons in Northeast Syria.
Canadian consumer debt hits all-time high, reaching $2.32 trillion in Q1 2023: TransUnion
Amid interest rate hikes and high inflation, more Canadians are turning to credit for relief, with consumer debt hitting a new record in the first quarter of 2023.
Canada closing in on deal to get Stellantis battery plant back on track: Champagne
A deal to save a $5-billion electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor is inching closer, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday.
House moving to midnight sittings as Liberals blame Conservatives for stalling agenda
It's that time of year again where MPs will be sitting until midnight until the House rises in late June, as the federal government pushes to pass as many bills as it can before the summer legislative hiatus. On Wednesday, Government House Leader Mark Holland announced that the Commons will be working late 'every single night … from here until the finish.'
Medication shortage in Canada led to increased dosing errors in children, new study shows
A new study has found that dosing errors in children increased during the Canada-wide shortage of paediatric fever and pain medication last year.
What you may not have known about bladder cancer
Although bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Canada, experts say there’s a significant lack of awareness surrounding whom it affects the most — statistically, men — and that the most common risk factor is smoking.
Calgary
-
Calgary council considers bylaw changes to discourage catalytic converter theft
The City of Calgary is considering changes to its business licence bylaw in the effort to reduce catalytic converter theft.
-
Landspout spotted near Stettler, Alberta
A landspout touched down near Stettler on Wednesday afternoon.
-
Sentencing arguments in hit-and-run death of Calgary police officer to be rescheduled
Sentencing arguments in hit-and-run death of Calgary police officer to be rescheduled
Saskatoon
-
Warman RCMP debunk abduction report, say no child luring occurred
According to RCMP, there was no attempt to lure a child in Warman Monday afternoon.
-
Saskatoon city councillor calls for safety audit at site where cyclist died
City councillor Cynthia Block is calling for a road safety audit at the site of a fatal crash on College Drive last week.
-
Interim chief named in Prince Albert in wake of police scandal
Saskatoon Police Service superintendent Patrick Nogier was appointed as interim chief of police for Prince Albert Police Service, according to the city’s police board.
Regina
-
'A step backward': City opens survey for public feedback on future of Scarth Street pedestrian mall
The City of Regina has opened a survey for the public to provide their feedback on the future of the Scarth Street mall.
-
Woman hit from behind by truck in Regina, police asking for help in finding driver
The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking for help in finding a driver who hit a woman with a truck from behind on Monday.
-
Over 24K surgeries performed from Jan. to Mar. in Sask.
The first quarter of 2023 was busy for Saskatchewan’s surgical sector. According to the province, a total of 24,306 surgeries were performed from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31.
Atlantic
-
N.S. premier asks for urgent help from federal government as wildfires continue to burn out of control
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is asking for urgent help as wildfires continue to burn out of control in his province.
-
Roofers hailed as heroes for alerting neighbours to Tantallon-area fire
A Halifax roofing crew is being hailed as heroes for their actions Sunday, after springing into action and alerting neighbours when they spotted smoke and then a fast-moving wildfire in Upper Tantallon, N.S.
-
Shelburne County wildfire remains out of control, further evacuation recommended
A wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Shelburne County is still out of control and prompting recommended evacuations.
Toronto
-
Engaged couple shot dead days before moving out of house near Hamilton
An engaged couple was shot dead while fleeing their landlord near Hamilton just days before they were scheduled to move out of their apartment.
-
Ontario's summer forecast revealed. It might not be what you were hoping for
Ontarians could be looking at a 'love it or leave it' kind of summer this year with below normal temperatures forecast, The Weather Network says.
-
Girl, 14, charged in connection with firework being set off inside TTC bus
A 14-year-old girl has been charged in connection with a firework being set off inside a TTC bus in Scarborough on Tuesday that was captured on video and went viral online.
Montreal
-
'It doesn't feel human': Six Quebecers file legal challenge against Bill 96
One year less a day after Quebec's Bill 96 came into force, a new legal challenge was filed Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse on behalf of six people.
-
HEAT WAVE
HEAT WAVE | Here's how you can identify heat stroke and prevent serious symptoms
Some communities in Quebec are expected to get record-high temperatures and Environment Canada has issued several weather warnings and watches for heat. Dr. Christopher Labos spoke to CTV News anchor Mutsumi Takahashi about heat and sunstroke and tips for preventing serious consequences in the sun.
-
Quebec judge calls out 'shocking' state failure after man slays spouse in psychotic delirium
Louise Avon, brutally murdered on March 31, 2022 in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts by her husband in the throes of a crack-induced psychotic delirium, might still be alive if Quebec hadn't "failed miserably in its role of protecting the public."
Ottawa
-
Ottawa man facing charges in double homicide of Mississauga teens in Pembroke, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police have arrested a 21-year-old man from Ottawa in connection with the shooting deaths of two teens from Mississauga in Pembroke, Ont. A third teenager, also from Mississauga, was injured.
-
Crown seeks significant sentence for OPP officer convicted of sexual assault
At a sentencing hearing in Brockville Wednesday, the Crown argued an 'exemplary sentence' was warranted for the OPP officer convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman and videotaping it.
-
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.
Kitchener
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Emergency crews respond to fire in Kitchener
Around six fire trucks, including an aerial truck, were on scene at a fire on Green Valley Drive in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon after a fire that impacted multiple townhomes.
-
Local fairs and festivals struggling due to lack of volunteers
Several local fairs and festivals are calling off their upcoming events due to a lack of volunteers. Meanwhile one festival is thriving.
-
'Thank God my kids were not outside': Driver charged after car crashes through 3 Kitchener, Ont. backyards
A 72-year-old from Kitchener has been charged with careless driving after a vehicle careened off Highland Road West and smashed through the backyards of three homes on Ralgreen Crescent on Tuesday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
3 girls now charged in assault, kidnapping investigation in Huntsville
Huntsville OPP has charged a third girl in connection to an alleged assault captured on video at a local high school and shared on social media earlier this month.
-
Northern Ont. town on the brink of evacuation as out-of-control wildfire grows
Forest fires in northern Ontario are on the rise, with the largest in the region shutting down a critical highway for the people of Hornepayne for a bit and bringing the community to the brink of evacuation.
-
'Mortifying': Toronto woman says restaurant shamed her for ordering too much food
A Toronto woman says she was shamed for the size of her order at a sushi restaurant north of the city in a scathing review posted to social media that’s been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
Winnipeg
-
UPDATED
UPDATED | 'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
-
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation man killed in hit-and-run: RCMP
RCMP in Virden are investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident Tuesday morning.
-
'A huge issue': City asked to curb growing cat population in Winnipeg
Animal welfare advocates are looking for more leeway to help tackle the feral and stray cat population in Winnipeg.
Vancouver
-
Man sentenced to house arrest for 'catastrophic' Surrey street-racing crash
A man has been sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest, two years less a day of probation and a three-year driving ban after causing a "catastrophic" crash while street racing in Surrey in 2020.
-
Addictions recovery worker accused of multiple sex assaults: New Westminster police
For years, rumours have swirled in the addiction recovery community about an employee preying on vulnerable people in narcotics anonymous programs in New Westminster -- and on Tuesday, police made an arrest.
-
Changes coming to BC Ferries route between Metro Vancouver and Nanaimo
Changes are coming to ferry routes between Metro Vancouver and Nanaimo starting next month in an attempt to ensure smoother sailing over the bust summer season.
Vancouver Island
-
Wildfire near Sayward, B.C., continues to burn out of control with 60 firefighters, 4 helicopters on scene
The northern Vancouver Island village of Sayward remains on edge Wednesday as a wildfire continues to burn out of control just five kilometres west of the community.
-
Alberta woman gets Ferrari impounded after speeding on Malahat
The RCMP's B.C. Highway Patrol says an Alberta woman was ticketed and had her Ferrari impounded after speeding on the Malahat highway earlier this month.
-
Victoria mortgage broker facing multiple lawsuits has licence suspended
An embattled mortgage broker from Victoria has had his licence to practice in B.C. suspended by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA).