Emotional vigil for fallen officer in Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – It was a sombre evening in Abbotsford as more than a hundred people gathered to pay their respects to a fallen officer at a candlelight vigil.

Despite the rain, a large crowd gathered to honour Constable John Davidson.

Susan lives right down the street and remembers the tragic day when he was killed. “We prayed all day. Everything stopped at our house, we just prayed for this man.”

Having lost someone earlier this year, she says she knows what this kind of loss feels like. “I remember what that visit is like from Abby PD telling you that somebody is never coming through that door again, our hearts broke.”

“I’m honoured to have these people serving in our area,” adds Dave, who also attended the vigil.

Sergeant Judy Bird with the Abbotsford Police Department says the community support really helps.

“Just that they come out in this blustery weather is so important for us. It’s nice to know they are supporting us in this really dark time.”

She says the entire department has been struggling dealing with the loss of one of their own.

Davidson was killed in the line of duty last Monday. He was shot to death in Abbotsford as police tracked down a suspect linked to reports of a stolen vehicle.

The tragedy that ended Davidson’s life could happen to any officer. That’s a sad fact that law enforcement hopes everyone who paid their respects at the vigil keeps in mind.

 

“We want the community to show support for the police, for first responders, for law enforcement, for the sacrifice,” says Vice President Ross Gulkison with the Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society Canada is at the memorial selling ribbons to help grieving families, establishing monuments, and providing scholarships to the children of fallen police and peace officers. “It helps the family see the community at large come out.”

“When we lose an officer, we lose a brother, we lose a sister, to us, that means a lot, it’s a big family when we would love everyone to come and show respect for the loss,” he says.

He says the ribbon is similar to a poppy, it represents an officer’s sacrifice, with blue for law enforcement, black for mourning and a badge in the centre.

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