Thousands gathered in Abbotsford on a rainy Sunday to pay their respects to Const. John Davidson.
Crowds lined the streets as a procession made its way to Abbotsford Centre where a memorial is scheduled to take place for the officer, who was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 6.
The procession was led by a police motorcycle squad and a pipe band.
A riderless horse, a symbol of a fallen officer, was led along the procession, joined by a parade of blue and red uniforms of officers.
WATCH: Memorial for Const. John Davidson
An officer pushed Davidson’s bicycle along the procession route. Davidson had recently completed the Tour de Valley Cops for Cancer ride.
Law enforcement officers and first responders – some of whom travelled from as far away as the U.K. where Davidson started his career – were on hand for a celebration of life ceremony at Abbotsford Centre.
The Ceremonial Unit Honour Guard marched Davidson’s casket — which was draped in a Canadian flag — into the arena.
WATCH: Casket of Const. John Davidson is decorated
Abbotsford Police Sgt. Jason Scott served as master of ceremonies. He said he agreed to take part in the event after he was assured there would only be a few hundred people in attendance.
“That was clearly a lie,” he told the packed arena.
“John had a passion for people, a genuine care, a genuine concern and a general love for his ability to help and make a difference,” Scott said.
WATCH: Master of Ceremonies Sgt. Jason Scott speaks about Const. John Davidson
Abbotsford Police Chief Const. Bob Rich then spoke about the day Davidson lost his life in a shootout on Mt. Lehman Rd.
“When that shot rang out, blackness fell on a sunny day in Abbotsford, ” Rich said. “When that shot rang out, evil won. It was on oily blackness that fell upon our city.”
Alberta resident Oscar Arfmann, 65, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Davidson’s children Drew, Dina and Fay took the stage to say good-bye to their father for a final time.
“There was something about the way he protected and cared for us that made him seem invincible,” daughter Dina said.
Davidson’s siblings also spoke at the celebration of life.
“My brother is not still immobile in the casket there,” brother Keith Davidson said. “He’s off running up a mountain somewhere and helping someone else to get up there too,” he said.
– With files from Amy Judd and The Canadian Press
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