June 8, 2015 is a day Ray Wilson will never forget. That’s the day his Edmonton police partner, Const. Dan Woodall, was shot and killed while trying to arrest a suspect in a hate crimes investigation.
READ MORE: Who was fallen Edmonton police officer Const. Daniel Woodall?
“It was basically the worst day of my career,” he said. Wilson was injured during the shooting in west Edmonton’s Callingwood area.
“Dan was a great guy. We did everything together.”
On Sunday, Wilson and friends and family of Woodall gathered to celebrate the fallen officer’s life and to take in the second annual Woodall Cup. Soccer was Woodall’s favourite sport.
“I think about him every day. It was just a terrible incident. I just think about the good things that happened between us and the work that we did. That’s what keeps me going,” Wilson said.
“For me personally, it’s helped me become stronger knowing that he’s always there with me in my heart. The work that we did and everything that’s taken place since then – it’s helped me become a better person and a better policeman.”
READ MORE: ‘It’s a perfect thing for us to do’: Soccer match honours fallen EPS Const. Daniel Woodall
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The Woodall Cup pitted the British Selects, which is made up of British ex-pats, against the Edmonton Police Service Blues. Several members of the Greater Manchester Police Force, where Woodall worked until moving to Edmonton in 2007, came to Edmonton to play with the British Selects.
Const. Dominic Beaver, who is with the Manchester police, said it was important for the members to be here for the event considering the link between Edmonton and England over Woodall’s death.
READ MORE: ‘My sons know he is a hero’: Const. Woodall’s wife thanks public for outpouring of support
The crowds, along with the presence of the officers from overseas, was a gift to Claire, Woodall’s wife, and their two sons, now aged six and eight.
“You can never put into words what it actually feels like to have so many people care about you,” she said.
“Thank you is never enough. It’s all I have left to say. There are no words to comprehend how grateful we are for this and people keep remembering Dan.”
The anniversary of 9/11 was not lost on Claire or others at the soccer game. FC Edmonton declared Sunday First Responders Day, which Claire said made the event even more poignant.
READ MORE: ‘Comfort in the midst of enormous pain’: Thousands honour Const. Woodall
“We will never forget. No one will ever forget what happened. All these first responders and general public lost their lives on that day. I think maybe Edmonton feels the same way about how Dan died. They’ll never forget that,” she said.
Woodall Cup organizer Const. Bruce McGregor agrees.
“Dan gave his life to help others and to protect others. To get EMS, fire, the military and have them involved, it’s good. We are all one big happy family. We work together and keep everybody safe so it’s a good fit,” he said.
McGregor said $7,000 has been raised through the event, which is less than last year’s amount. The proceeds will go towards the Zebra Child Protection Centre as well as the family of William Breen. Breen played with the British Selects in last year’s Woodall Cup, but died unexpectedly this year, leaving behind a wife and young family.
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