Thousands line route as Calgary police escort body of slain officer to funeral home

Thousandsturned up to linethe route as aformal processionescortedthe body of Calgary's fallen police officer, Sgt. Andrew Harnett, from the medical examiner's officer to a funeral home in the city's southeast Tuesday afternoon.

Uniformed police, RCMP, paramedics, city road workers, firefighters andbylaw officers paid their respects alongside members of the public dotting the street and overpasses.

Harnett was killed during a traffic stop on New Year's Eve after a fleeing SUV dragged the officer 400 metres before he was flung into oncoming traffic.

Two teens have been charged with first-degree murder.

Calgary Police Service'sHonour Guard was joined byofficers from the traffic section as the procession travelledeast along Memorial Drive, fromShaganappi TrailatBowness Road N.W. to theMountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Watch the procession held for Sgt. Andrew Harnett

4 years ago

Duration 1:55

Thousands of Calgarians came out to pay their respects to an officer killed in the line of duty on New Year's Eve.

• 'He lived with no regrets': Family of Sgt. Andrew Harnett releases statement, photos

CPS hadasked observers to respect COVID-19 protocols, keeping two metres between attendees.

Standing along the route was Edmund Ridgenwhose stepdaughter is a police officer. He said when he and his wife heard the newsthey were terrified.

"All we heard was 'officer' and when we started to worry," said Ridgen."It could be ours, it could be anybody, and that really hurts families.I am so sorry for their loss."

Jim Stinsonheld back tears when explaining why he felt compelled to observe the procession.

"I'm here to pay my respects to a fellow officer it was such a shame, his wifeis expecting," said Stinson.

"It bothers me, it gets to me; these fellow officers, they put their life on the line for us and sometimeswe don't seem to give them enough respect. It's not an easy job but they're here to protect us."

CPS andHarnett's family continue to work together to iron out funeral details. A regimental funeral is being planned for this weekendand willrespectthe 10-person maximum attendance under provincial COVID-19restrictions.

• Body camera footage from slain Calgary police officer to be played at bail hearing

Around 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Harnett pulled over an SUV. A youth, who can't be identified, was driving at the time,and 19-year-oldAmir Abdulrahman who was wanted on four warrantswas the passenger.

After speaking with the driver Harnett was in the process of issuing tickets related to the driver's graduated licence and headlights, which were not on, according to sources connected to the investigation.

Other officers were attempting to arrestAbdulrahmanon his warrants.

The SUVthen sped away, but Harnett was still somehow attached to the vehicle.

For 400 metres and with the vehicle reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h, it's alleged the driver triedto push Harnett off the SUV while Abdulrahman grabbed the wheel.

Eventually, Harnett was flung into oncomingtraffic.

• Widow of slain Calgary police officer pregnant with couple's 1st child

Dedicated officer

Harnett's brother and mother are now inCalgary after travelling from Ontario for hisfuneral.

Harnett was adecorated officer with two Chief's Awards for lifesaving over his 12-year career with the Calgary Police Service.

He leaves behind a partner who is several months pregnant with the couple's first child.

Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld has described Harnett as "one of the best."

According to his family, Harnett was passionate about policing, a job he knew he wanted since childhood.

"He knew the risks of the job and showed up every day regardless," said the family in a written statement released Monday.

"Andrew would have given everything for the police, and he did."