Abbotsford police honour colleague year after his death

Members of the Abbotsford police remembered Const. John Davidson on Tuesday, honouring the slain officer on the first anniversary of his death. Davidson was shot and killed in the line of duty on Nov. 6, 2017.

“One year ago (Tuesday) the Abbotsford Police Department lost our brother, Const. John Davidson, who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our community. We shall never forget Const. Davidson’s energy, commitment and dedication to Abbotsford,” Chief Mike Serr said in a message on the department’s Facebook page.

Davidson had been a police officer for 24 years, beginning his career in the U.K. working for the Northumbria Police from 1993-2005. He joined the Abbotsford force in March 2006, and worked in patrol, the youth squad and traffic sections.

He died after an exchange of gunfire with a suspect who allegedly had stolen a vehicle.

Abbotsford Const. Renae Williams tweeted on Tuesday in memory of her friend and colleague.

“JD, not one emotion has changed in the last year, the heartache is still as if yesterday. Your absence will forever be a hard realization. I miss you. You will forever be my partner, my best friend, my hero!!,” Williams said on Twitter.

The man accused of shooting Davidson, 65-year-old Oscar Ferdinand Arfmann, was charged with first-degree murder. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2019, in New Westminster Supreme Court.