Ahead of Edmonton officers' funeral Monday, families thank Canadians for 'incredible outpouring of support'
The appreciation and respect shown by the public after two Edmonton Police Service officers were killed in the line of duty has not gone unnoticed, their families said in a statement ahead of the regimental funeral on Monday.
On Monday, a procession from the Alberta legislature to Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton will precede the regimental funeral for constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan.
Edmonton Transit Service is offering free transit to and from downtown so that members of the public can line the procession route or watch a livestream of the ceremony from one of the public viewing locations.
The free service is just one of many displays of solidarity the Ryan and Jordan families have been shown since the officers were shot to death on March 16.
Over the past week-and-a-half, Canadians have offered their condolences to the families, left flowers at memorials and vigils, hung blue ribbons, and commemorated the young men.
- Best friend of fallen EPS officer completes airborne tribute
- Local first responder using art as therapy creates portraits of fallen EPS officers
In statements shared by EPS on Sunday, both families acknowledged the public support.
"We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the public for the extraordinary lengths you have gone to support our family, and Travis' EPS family, in this time of great tragedy," the Jordan family wrote.
Jordan, 35, from Nova Scotia, had served with EPS for 8 1/2 years.
"Alberta may have called to his heart, but the East Coast ran through his veins. His family roots in Nova Scotia have deep ties to the province filled with friends, family and loved ones. We want to extend our thanks for their continued love and support and pay homage to them for the profound effect they had on his life," his family said.
"The incredible outpouring of support we continue to receive in this city and across the country has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated."
The Ryan family called the loss of their 30-year-old son, brother, uncle, and father-to-be "ineffable."
"[Brett] was a multi-talented individual, dedicated friend, respected colleague, active community member and volunteer, and compassionate first responder whose calling was to help those in need. His absence is profound, and we, along with his brothers and sisters in blue, will miss him."
They continued: "We have had the incredible experience of witnessing the extraordinary support a city can provide a family in their most significant time of need. Thank you for your selflessness expressed through thoughtful words, blue ribbons, touching tributes, acts of kindness, and much more."
Both families also asked the public to continue respecting their privacy in the coming days and weeks.
The procession will start at 11:45 a.m. Here is everything you need to know about it.
CTV News Edmonton will livestream the procession and service online as well.
In their last update, investigators told media they did not know the motive of the 16-year-old teen who shot the officers and is believed to have shot a worker at a nearby restaurant. Police say the boy also shot his mother during a struggle with the gun before shooting himself. He died. She is in hospital in serious but stable condition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.