Widow of fallen Const. Woodall humbled by Edmonton school given his name

Claire Woodall and her two boys are now living in England, but they still have a very close connection to Edmonton.

On Tuesday, classes will begin at Constable Daniel Woodall School in Windermere for students in kindergarten, up to Grade 6.

READ MORE: New Daniel Woodall School uses fallen officer’s badge number as phone number 

Speaking to Global News from her home in Manchester, Claire said her husband would have been “very embarrassed” to have a school named after him.

“Thinking about it now, it’s a really big honour,” she said. “This is a place where children are going to learn and they’re going to grow and be the best they can possibly be. Who wouldn’t want their name attached to that?”

Const. Woodall was shot on June 8, 2015 in west Edmonton while trying to serve an arrest warrant. The 35-year-old joined the Edmonton Police Service in 2007 after starting his career with the Greater Manchester Police in England.

Claire and the boys moved back to Manchester to be closer to family.

“We’re doing really good,” she said. “Really, really well. The boys are loving having family around them. We do really, really miss Edmonton actually, but right now, it’s where we need to be.”

Claire said she can’t fully describe what it means to feel the continued love and support from Edmonton.

READ MORE: ‘It’s a fitting legacy’: City dedicates Edmonton park to Const. Daniel Woodall

“You can’t really put it into words.

“It’s a very surreal feeling that you have someone who’s honoured in this way, someone who meant so much to so many people. They didn’t really know him, but they understand the sacrifice that he made. It’s very humbling.”

Principal Leona Gordey believes the school is a wonderful way to remember the fallen constable, who was involved in the community.

“He was a man who really appreciated and valued community and community contributions,” Gordey said last week.

The new southside school will also honour Woodall by using his badge number as part of its phone number.

READ MORE: ‘We wanted to create something that would be lasting’: Edmonton school has special plans for blue ribbons

When asked if Daniel would have had a message for the kids attending the school bearing his name, Claire had a simple reply.

“Be yourself,” she said.

“I just think he’d want them to not regret anything and live their life.”