WATCH IN FULL: The funeral procession and regimental funeral service for Const. Daniel Woodall in its entirety.
EDMONTON — It was an incredible scene in downtown Edmonton Wednesday morning as thousands of people lined the streets to watch an estimated 3,655 officers march in a procession to honour fallen Edmonton police Const. Daniel Woodall.
The procession started at the Alberta legislature at 9:30 a.m. and made its way to the Shaw Conference Centre for the regimental funeral.
Woodall’s parents, David and Denise, watched the procession from outside the Shaw Conference Centre. They thanked everyone for their kind wishes and thoughts.
“Dan was the light of our lives and the people of Edmonton have taken to him like one of their own. Thank you all again, we love you all.”
“There are really no words great enough to express my love and gratitude to the city of Edmonton,” said Claire Woodall in a statement. “You have shown so much love and support to myself, my family, and all first responders. We will be forever grateful. I am lucky to call Edmonton my home. Thank you. From my family to yours.”
Woodall started his career in 2002 with the Greater Manchester Police in the United Kingdom before joining the Edmonton Police Service in 2008.
Numerous members of the Manchester police came to Edmonton Wednesday to honour the fallen officer.
“People remain on the division who worked with him and remember him well,” said Lindsay Atherton, Greater Manchester Police Inspector.
“People are saddened and devastated by what’s happened, and that goes for the Manchester community as well.”
WATCH: Thousands of people watched and thousands of police officers marched in Wednesday’s precession for fallen Edmonton officer Const. Daniel Woodall
The regimental funeral – described as a celebration of Woodall’s life – started at 11:30 a.m.
It began with Edmonton police Chaplain Lawrence Peck calling the hall to stand. Woodall’s family, Chaplain Peck and honourary pallbearers then entered the hall.
The Edmonton Police Service Drums and Colour Party followed the pallbearers. They were followed by the hearse, which was led by two members of the Edmonton police Historical Unit and followed by Casket Detail. The hearse was draped with the Canadian flag.
WATCH: Police Chief Rod Knecht delivers the Canadian flag to Claire Woodall
Opening remarks were read by Chaplain Peck, who also delivered a message of comfort to the family.
“Our gathering here grants us a safe place to reach out to one another and to bring comfort in the midst of that enormous pain,” said Peck to the more than 5,600 people in attendance.
“We’ve come to be with Claire and the boys. We’ve come to be with David and Denise. We’ve come to be with each other, and we’ve come to be with God.”
An emotional eulogy was carried out by family friend and former member of the Greater Manchester Police Dave Ainsworth. Ainsworth spoke about Woodall’s love for his two young sons, his wife Claire, and policing. He also provided insight to Woodall’s personality.
“I’ll miss your quick wit and terrible sense of humour, and the fact that the person laughing hardest at your jokes was always you.”
Ainsworth embraced Woodall’s family following the eulogy.
A friend of Woodall’s, Michael Catlin, also spoke about their friendship, providing further understanding of the fallen officer’s personality.
“Dan and I shared a background in martial arts. We would talk about different styles. We both had tattoos and we’d talk about design. We both had a love for sci-fi and fantasy themed movies. We discussed which Star Trek was the worst series,” explained Catlin.
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson described Woodall’s impact on the community as an Edmonton police officer.
“He dedicated his professional life to protecting Edmontonians and to safeguarding their rights, their safety, their security, and their inclusion,” said Iveson.
Police Chief Rod Knecht also spoke during the funeral.
The regimental funeral concluded with a performance of Amazing Grace, a minute of silence, the flag presentation, the Last Post and the Fallen Comrade Salute.
WATCH: Bagpipes playing Amazing Grace during the regimental funeral for fallen Edmonton police officer Const. Daniel Woodall
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