WATCH ABOVE: A regimental funeral service for fallen EPS Const. Daniel Woodall will be held on Wednesday. As Eric Szeto reports, members of the public paid tribute to Woodall and the EPS on Friday.
EDMONTON — Dozens of people showed their support for Edmonton police Friday after a social media group urged Edmontonians to go to any police station at noon Friday wearing blue.
The True Blue event will take place at any Edmonton police station, but a big crowd gathered at police headquarters.
READ MORE: How to show your support for Woodall family, Edmonton police
Police said the family notices all the ribbons, messages and other gestures of support.
“The light up of the High Level Bridge – the parents David and Denise they went out after dark and took a look at that,” said EPS Sgt. Steve Sharpe, “very overwhelmingly emotional when they saw the blue lights on the High Level Bridge, the messages of condolence, the condolence banners, they’re seeing all this when they’re making their way around the city… they see that stuff and it really hits home for them.”
Derryn Donaghey wanted to organize an event to show EPS support, so he started to organize True Blue on Facebook.
“Myself, like so many Edmontonians, really wanted to let the Edmonton Police Service know how much we appreciate them, obviously send our condolences to the Woodall family and to Sgt. Harley for what he had to endure in this.
“I think a lot of Edmontonians, like me, didn’t know really how we could do that and how we could express that.”
“We really wanted to be able to send a strong message to them to let them know they’re not alone, we’re here for them and we support them 100 per cent,” explained Donaghey.
Several firefighters and correction officers joined members of the public at police headquarters.
In addition, a prayer walk will be held Friday at 4:30 p.m. It will start at the Our Saviour Lutheran Church parking lot (18345 – 62B Avenue) and will travel through the community.
Several churches in the area will participate and everyone is welcome to take part in the walk. Organizers say it will be a time for healing since many people are shaken and some were actually in the surrounding churches during the shooting.
“As faith communities, we have some expertise with how to deal with emotions like grief and anger and frustration. And so, we just wanted to offer that to the community,” said Our Saviour Lutheran Church Pastor Philip Penrod.
READ MORE: Funeral service for Const. Woodall to be held Wednesday
The EPS released details of a regimental funeral and celebration of life to honour Woodall. A public visitation will take place on Sunday and a funeral procession and regimental service will take place on Wednesday.
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