Calgary police say farewell to fallen officer with solemn procession
Posted January 9, 2021 4:34 pm.
Last Updated January 10, 2021 9:17 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It was a solemn afternoon in Calgary as the city’s police department said farewell to one of their own on Saturday.
Sgt. Andrew Harnett – the officer who was killed in the line of duty on New Year’s Eve – was laid to rest at a private funeral for family and fellow officers.
The Calgary Police Service was granted an exemption from Alberta Health to allow 50 people to take part in the funeral.
From the funeral home, a multi-car procession made its way to CPS headquarters in northeast Calgary where they were met by hundreds of police officers, Mounties, firefighters, emergency personnel and more – all there to pay their respects.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi were also in attendance.
https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1348035757366079488
The arrival of Sgt. Harnett’s body was announced with a thunderous flypast by two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets.
The sombre procession – led by flagbearers and a lone drummer – then took on a more muted tone. The procession made its way through the streets and parking lots surrounding the police headquarters, which were lined with uniformed officers.
READ MORE:
- Harnett lived with ‘a lot of joy’, says former CPS partner
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Some of the hundreds of officers – all wearing face masks – saluted the procession as it passed. Others had their hands on their hearts.
A large Canadian flag held up by the ladders of fire trucks rippled overhead.
Sgt. Andrew Harnett’s body carried through rows of emergency personel to his final resting place. I don’t think I’ve witnessed something so sombre yet spectacular, a tribute to the person and officer he was. #yyc @660NEWS @citynewscalgary pic.twitter.com/RjRGF6lssO
— Taylor Braat (@TaylorBraat_) January 9, 2021
It was the final farewell for the 37-year-old Harnett, who was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve. Two people were charged with first-degree murder in his death.
Harnett leaves behind his wife Chelsea, who is to give birth to their first child in the summer.
–with files from The Canadian Press
https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1348047916800253954
