Hundreds pay respects to officer
Strangers join friends, colleagues of slain Const. Daniel Woodall
They came alone or in a group Sunday. Some knew him, but many of the hundreds of people who came to pay their respects to slain Edmonton police Const. Daniel Woodall were complete strangers.
Woodall, 35, a married father of two, was killed last Monday while serving a warrant at a southwest Edmonton home. His killer, Norman Raddatz, took his own life.
Pat O’Connor, 69, who didn’t know Woodall, was first to line up outside the First Memorial Funeral Services Harmony Chapel, south of Whyte Avenue, for a four- hour public visitation.
“I have tremendous respect for the police. I don’t think we realize how difficult their job is until something like this happens,” O’Connor said, explaining why she had come. “They are there for us all the time.
“I feel for his young wife and two beautiful children that have been deprived of (his) life, I feel for his family in England and I feel for all police as well.”
Edmonton police Sgt. Steve Sharpe said Woodall’s family requested the public visitation in response to the outpouring of support from the community.
A large framed portrait of Woodall, his wife Claire, and sons Gabe, 6, and Callen, 4, stood at the front of the chapel next to the officer’s casket, which was draped with a Canadian flag. His police hat and belt rested on top.
Two Edmonton police officers in blue dress uniforms stood flanking the casket. A Union Jack flag was placed in one corner, a nod to Woodall’s country of birth, and where he had been a police officer before coming to Edmonton.
Two heart-shaped floral arrangements of white and pink roses from his family — one accented with blue flowers, and one with orange calla lilies, stood in front of the casket. Many people left wiping tears from their eyes.
Denver Poburan, 25, who trained with Woodall at the same kung fu school three times a week for the last 18 months, called the officer a friend.
“He was very dedicated, a great guy to train with,” Poburan said, pausing as he was overcome with emotion. Woodall received his green belt in the last month.
“He said it was really important in his line of work that he be able to protect himself,” Poburan remembered.
CTV Edmonton co-anchor Joel Gotlib met Woodall several months ago when the officer investigated a case that affected the newsman’s family. The case was similar to the one Woodall was working on, as a member of the police hate crimes unit, when he was shot to death.
Gotlib, carrying his young son Jacob in his arms, said it was important for him to attend the visitation.
“I felt he was committed to keeping my family safe and all of us safe.”
A funeral procession and regimental service for Woodall will be held Wednesday. The procession will start at the legislature at 9:30 a.m. and make its way to the Shaw Conference Centre, where the regimental funeral and celebration of Woodall’s life will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The public is invited, but seating is limited. Police expect thousands to attend.
The funeral procession will proceed north on 107th Street from the legislature to Jasper Avenue, move east along Jasper Avenue to 95th Street, then down Grierson Hill to the conference centre.