Abbotsford officer ‘died protecting you and me'

The Abbotsford police officer killed in a shootout with a suspected car thief Monday is remembered as a hero who was a kind and dedicated officer who loved working with children.

Const. John Davidson was a 24-year veteran, beginning his career in the U.K. working for the Northumbria Police from 1993 to 2005. He joined the Abbotsford force in March 2006, and worked in patrol, the youth squad and traffic sections.

“We train our police officers, we ask our police officers that when somebody is putting people’s lives in danger, when there is an active shooter, we no longer wait for cover, we no longer set up teams, the first person in goes,” Chief Const. Bob Rich said. “John Davidson was the first person in, and away he went, and he died protecting you and me.”

Oscar Ferdinand Arfmann was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday. The charge does not give an address for Arfmann, but on Monday police said they arrested a man from Alberta in his 60s.

Davidson, who was married with three grown children, was a school liaison officer. Recently, he participated in the nine-day Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley ride.

“He was ecstatic to be able to do what he did. He was so thrilled that he could take part in his ride and contribute to these kids’ lives. He was thankful for the opportunity and it sort of really brings home who I want you to understand John Davidson to be,” Rich said.

Five years ago, Davidson and a colleague received the Wael T. Audi Youth Policing Award for outstanding commitment to working with youth in their communities.

“It was an honour & privilege to serve with you brother. I will profoundly miss our talks of footy over a warm cuppa. There are just no words,” tweeted APD Const. Pat Kelly.

On Facebook, a man said he was pulled over by Davidson days ago because his car insurance had expired.

“My brief encounter with Const. Davidson was memorable because of his courtesy, professionalism and kindness. He even gave me a ride to an insurance seller to renew my car insurance,” the man wrote.

Monday’s incident started with a call to police at 11:35 a.m. about a possible stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a strip mall on Mount Lehman Road. A 2016 Ford Mustang had been stolen from the nearby Ford dealership Saturday during a test drive. The car was spotted by dealership employees, who called police and boxed in the car.

The driver returned to the car carrying a shotgun and began shooting at the employees and bystanders. Davidson was shot in the exchange of gunfire. The suspect was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.