EDMONTON — It’s a day to remember the police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty. National Police and Peace Officer Memorial Day was marked across the country Sunday, and here in Alberta two men who paid the ultimate sacrifice were honoured.
RCMP Const. David Wynn and EPS Const. Daniel Woodall were recognized during a ceremony at the Alberta Legislature Sunday afternoon.
Wynn was shot while investigating a vehicle theft in St. Albert on Saturday, Jan. 17. Police said it was a routine licence plate check that led to the 42-year-old being critically injured in a confrontation at the Apex Casino.
Wynn never regained consciousness. His family made the decision to take him off life support a few days later.
READ MORE: ‘We’re saying our goodbyes today’: wife of St. Albert RCMP Const. Wynn
Woodall was fatally shot outside a home in Edmonton’s west end on Monday, June 8. He was one of several officers who had arrived at the Ormsby Place home to execute an arrest warrant.
Woodall was the first Edmonton Police Service officer killed in the line of duty in 25 years, and the 100th Alberta officer lost in the line of duty since 1876.
Woodall’s widow, Claire Woodall, was in attendance Sunday and said the day was much harder than she anticipated.
“It’s nice to be remembered,” she said. “Obviously it’s very prominent when has happened and Daniel being the 100th officer, as well, that made it a little bit more intense.”
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“This year Albertans lost two exceptional men in the line of duty,” Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement Sunday morning.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to all of the officer’s families, friends and fellow police officers for their losses. Each and every day police and peace officers around Alberta put themselves in harm’s way in order to serve and protect Albertans, and for this we owe them and their loved ones a debt of gratitude. Our deepest appreciation and thanks go to these brave women and men. Your every effort is deeply appreciated and valued.”
Sunday’s ceremony began with the Masses Pipes and Drums of Alberta leading law enforcement officers onto the legislature grounds.
The fallen officers’ names were then read aloud as family members placed wreaths at the base of the Pillar of Strength.
“This is our Remembrance Day. We have to honour our fallen,” said Corps Sgt. Major Gary Cook with the Edmonton Police Service.
“The names on this Pillar of Strength should resonate with every police officer that’s ever policed in Alberta. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Sunday’s ceremony also marked two anniversaries – it’s been 25 years since EPS Const. Ezio Faraone was shot and killed while pursuing suspects in an armed robbery. And it’s been 10 years since Constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann were killed in the line of duty in Mayerthorpe.
Fallen Four: 10 years since the Mayerthorpe RCMP shooting
“Each and every day police and peace officers are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said in a statement. “All police and peace officers have my heartfelt and unending respect and gratitude for the work they do.”
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