WATCH ABOVE: A memorial service marks 25 years since EPS Const. Ezio Faraone was killed in the line of duty.
EDMONTON — Exactly 25 years ago Thursday, Edmonton police Const. Ezio Faraone was shot and killed while pursuing suspects in an armed robbery.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Ezio Faraone Park to commemorate 25 years since the officer’s killing.
Faraone’s best friend, former Police Chief Doug McNally spoke at the ceremony.
“June 25, 1990 began as a bright summer day and ended with the darkest cloud imaginable hanging over the Faraone family, the Edmonton Police Service and the whole Edmonton community.
“Those of us who lived through those terrible days were all too vividly reminded of how it felt very recently with the tragic death of Const. Daniel Woodall,” said McNally.
“But then, as now, the community and police came together to create positive change.”
The sombre anniversary comes less than a week after Edmonton Police Const. Daniel Woodall was laid to rest.
Woodall’s widow Claire Woodall and her two sons attended Faraone’s memorial service.
“Thank you for sharing Ezio with us,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “And thank you for being here today to help us all remember him and send the message not only to your family but to everybody in the policing community and the broader Edmonton community that we will always remember all of our first responders particularly those who are taken from us so unjustly and so prematurely.”
WATCH: Twenty-five years to the day, Const. Ezio Faraone was murdered on the job. Kendra Slugoski has more on how he’s being remembered.
Faraone – who was assigned to a Tactical Team Unit – spotted a bank robbery suspect vehicle in an alley near 124 Street and 118 Avenue. He saw one suspect, Foulson, but Crews was hidden in the backseat, got out of the vehicle, pulled out a sawed-off shotgun and killed Faraone.
Foulson was later convicted of manslaughter and was handed a 20-year sentence. Crews received life in prison with no chance of parole until 2017.
A downtown park was named in honour of Faraone, who was just 33 years old when he died.
“We loved him in life and we love him still,” said McNally.
Those gathered for the ceremony heard how the land on which the park now sits was originally owned by the province. However, thanks to the particular efforts of two government officials – one municipal, one provincial – a land exchange between the province and the city took place. Companies supplied landscaping materials and EPS members hauled dirt to create what is now Ezio Faraone Park.
The park officially opened June 1992.
Every year on the last day of training, Edmonton police recruits take a 10-kilometre run in the river valley that ends at Ezio Faraone Park at the north end of the High Level Bridge.
On June 8, 2015, Edmonton was shaken by the first police officer killed in the line of duty since Faraone’s death. Woodall was shot during an attempted arrest in the west end. Woodall was laid to rest in a regimental funeral on June 17. Thousands of people, including officers from across Canada and from the U.K., where Woodall was from – lined the streets for the procession.
READ MORE: Coverage of Const. Woodall’s regimental funeral on Global Edmonton
Now, there is discussion about erecting another statue, or a permanent memorial to honour the life of Constable Woodall.
Following the shooting, blue ribbons were also put up across the city, including Ezio Faraone park.
Jim Cessford, who worked with Faraone, reflected on the sad June 25 anniversary.
“I attended at the scene of the incident,” wrote Cessford on a Facebook post.
“I will always remember the sight of Cst. Faraone laying on the ground, covered with a blanket, as we did our crime scene and homicide investigations.
“It was a traumatic event for everyone.
“June 25th, 2015, will mark the 25th anniversary of Cst. Faraone’s murder. Sadly, this anniversary is only a few days after the homicide of Cst. Daniel Woodall of the Edmonton Police Service, which occurred on June 8, 2015.
I did not know Cst. Woodall, but I understand that he was an outstanding young man. We were all impacted by his senseless killing.
“Cst. Faraone worked for me in the Downtown Beat Program. He was proud to be a member of the Edmonton Police Service and he was an outstanding police officer. Cst. Faraone was an excellent team player, respected by all members of the Edmonton Police Service.”
WATCH: It was an emotional day for Edmonton and our city’s finest. It’s been 25 years since Const. Ezio Faraone was killed. Maurice Brodeur, president of the Edmonton Police Association tells us about the day.
Comments