EDMONTON – A lot of people in this city would describe Claire Woodall as incredibly strong, but she doesn’t think of herself that way. In fact, she gives the credit to the Edmonton community, which she describes as “in a league of its own.”
“Their strength gives me my strength.”
Claire’s husband, Edmonton police Const. Daniel Woodall, was fatally shot on duty while responding to call on June 8. In the wake of his death, the city mourned together, covering trees and street signs in blue ribbons, showing up at police stations with cards or donations to the family. People stopped EPS officers in the street to thank them for their service and offer condolence for their loss.
For Claire and her two young boys, that support has meant the world.
“I really didn’t think it would last this long,” she admits. “I’m glad because I was concerned that people would forget Dan, but I don’t think that will really happen.”
“The fact that people are still remembering this is beyond words, it’s beyond comprehension.”
She is overwhelmed that people continue to drop off cards or homemade gifts at police headquarters and continue to make donations to the Woodall Family Fund.
READ MORE: How to show your support for Woodall family, Edmonton police
“Everyone has helped me, the community has helped me, and the whole of Edmonton has helped me. It’s my turn to give back now and pay it forward.”
“I’m very lucky that Edmonton has looked after me so much,” she says. “I’m truly, truly thankful.”
The now single mother says each of her boys is coping in a different way. Gabe, who is six, is angry, which she completely understands. Callem just turned five. He is more matter-of-fact about his father’s death, she says.
READ MORE: ‘My sons know he is a hero’: Const. Woodall’s widow thanks public for outpouring of support
For Claire herself, the first real moment of grief came when she moved her family out of the home she shared with Dan.
“I asked for everyone to give me a moment. I was just like, ‘right, this is really it. I am a single parent. I’ve got to do this on my own. This is my life now.'”
WATCH: Claire Woodall says her family is taking it day-by-day, three months after her husband, Const. Daniel Woodall, was killed in the line of duty. Lisa Wolansky reports.
Claire says her husband would have wanted her to “get on with things… so that’s what we’re doing.”
She doesn’t hide her sadness from her boys but she’s conscious of being strong for them.
“There have been moments where I want to curl up in a ball and pretend the day is not happening,” she says, but adds, “I’m not grieving as much because I’ve got other people to think of.”
“They’re getting used to the situation and I have to be there for them.”
As the boys get back into a regular routine with school and friends, Claire finds herself missing the simple things: chatting over dinner, getting groceries, talking about their days, a hug, a kiss.
“Silly things that aren’t silly any more.”
She wishes she took more family photos and misses picking up the phone and hearing her husband’s voice.
READ MORE: ‘He gave the ultimate sacrifice’: Edmontontians attend public visitation for Const. Woodall
“I can’t pick up the phone and ask Dan to talk to one of the boys because they’re being naughty or have him come home and give them a hug and a kiss. It’s those little things that really get to you.”
But she and her sons are simply taking everyday as it comes. They speak about Dan often.
“We talk about how Dad’s in heaven,” Claire says. “We were very lucky that someone named a star in honour of him. That was nice way for them to kind of connect with where he is.”
And, those two little boys are constant reminders – for better or for worse – of her husband.
“They both look even more like their dad now,” says Claire with a smile. “So, I’ll never lose Dan. Attitude, looks, humour, everything. It’s completely Dan.”
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