Edmonton Police Service has provided details of memorial and regimental funeral plans for Constable Daniel Woodall, killed in the line of duty on June 8, 2015.
Public mourners can pay their respects during a visitation Sunday, June 14, between 12 and 4 p.m. at the First Memorial Funeral Services Harmony Chapel, located at 10541 - 81 Avenue, just off of Whyte Avenue.
Members of the EPS Guard of Honour will stand vigil over the closed casket.
On Wednesday, June 17, starting at 9:30 a.m., members of the public will also have a chance to pay their respects along the funeral procession route.
The procession will start at the Alberta Legislature building and proceed north along 107 Street to Jasper Avenue.
The convoy will then continue east on Jasper Avenue to 95 Street, before proceeding down Grierson Hill toward the Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) for formal services.
During this time, there will be road closures in the area to allow for the procession.
The regimental funeral and celebration of life will begin at 11:30 a.m. at SCC – members of the public are invited to attend.
EPS Sergeant Steve Sharpe said this is a big undertaking and people are emotional.
“We are asking for a little bit of patience as we iron out details – planning this on short notice was not expected. It’s something the Edmonton Police Service has not had to deal with in 25 years,” Sharpe said in a news conference.
“This [clearly impacts] the public from what we have seen and we need to do this first of all with the family in mind, second of all with the community in mind - as well as our peers here at the Edmonton Police Service and the broader community,” he pointed out.
Sharpe, who knew Constable Woodall personally, said the slain officer’s family has been overwhelmed by the community response and outpouring of support.
“They have asked for their privacy right now. I think it’s really setting in with the parents, David and Denise, coming a day or so ago – the family [is] together which is important at this time," Sharpe said.
The grieving officer said emotions are very raw right now. “This is a long journey and it’s going to take some time, so we’re trying to offer that support to [officers],” he added.
“As it gets closer to the reality of a funeral and marching down Jasper Avenue, I think it’s going to be overwhelming."
Sharpe expects thousands of people to turn out to pay their respects on Wednesday.
Condolence books are located at Edmonton City Hall and Edmonton Police division stations. Details can be found on the EPS condolences website.
