Police escort for Calgary officer killed in line of duty
Posted Jan 5, 2021 2:42 pm.
Last Updated Jan 6, 2021 6:54 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A sombre procession Tuesday carried the body of fallen Calgary police Sergeant Andrew Harnett across the city.
His body was taken to a funeral home after he was killed in the line of duty while responding to a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve.
It was quite an impressive scene. Hundreds of Calgarians were lined up along Memorial Drive, watching from overpasses, and looking from their cars as the body was carried down the road in a black police van.
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Dozens of police vehicles also escorted his body from the medical examiner’s office, with many more emergency crews from different services lining the road to pay their respects as well.
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It was quiet – save for the sound of the sirens passing by – as clearly the tragedy has hit the whole city.
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One officer watching the procession, Constable Jessica McRitchie, was partnered with Harnett for over a year, and she tells us what this means for her.
READ MORE: Police escort planned for slain Calgary police officer
“I wasn’t as close with him, but when you are partners with someone, I mean you go through just really meaningful things. You spend 12-hour shifts with them, so (inaudible), but again, he was my first partner in district 5 ten years ago.
“It’s been 20 years since we’ve lost a police officer and you forget it can happen. It’s really horrible,” added McRitchie.
“I’m proud to stand with people who knew him, who didn’t know him, and with citizens of Calgary.”
WATCH: Calgary Police Escort for Sgt. Andrew Harnett
Some people were carrying Canadian flags, blue ribbons are strung up on trees to honour Harnett and officers saluted as the van passed by.
It went through the southeast and ended up at a funeral home on the outskirts of Calgary.
Arrangements are being made for the fallen officer’s funeral.
