Thousands of first responders and citizens have gathered in Abbotsford today to honour fallen officer Const. John Davidson.
Watch for live updates below.
The celebration of life ceremony for Davidson is set to take place at Abbotsford Centre at 1 p.m.
Prior to that, a funeral procession of uniformed law enforcement officers marched down McCallum Road, over Highway 1, then down King Road to Abbotsford Centre.
The procession stretched for kilometres down McCallum. It was led by a vehicle carrying Davidson’s body. The vehicle was flanked by honorary pallbearers, including his son, other members of his family, and members of the Northumbria Police, where Davidson began his career.
Then came thousands upon thousands of uniformed police officers, led by the Abbotsford Police Department, followed closely by a massive show from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The procession headed south on McCallum and passed under massive Canada and British Columbia flags strung at the roundabout by the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service.
Officials have prepared for the likelihood that Abbotsford’s largest venue won’t be able to seat the massive turnout expected. As such, two overflow seating areas have been designated.
One is the University of the Fraser Valley’s Envision Athletic Centre. The other is Central Heights Church, at 1661 McCallum Rd. Doors at both venues open at 11 a.m.
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The celebration of life will also be broadcast live on television and online by Global TV.
Watch: Thousands of first responders gather in Abbotsford for the funeral
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Follow reporter Vikki Hopes for live updates:
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LIVE: Watch the procession carrying Davidson
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