Const. Daniel Woodall’s children woke up without a father this morning, his wife without a husband.
The eight-year veteran of the Edmonton Police Service died after he was shot multiple times on the doorstep of a home in west Edmonton Monday night while serving an arrest warrant on a hate crimes matter.
Woodall, 35, was recruited from Great Britain, where he served with the Greater Manchester Police. He and his wife, Claire, moved to Edmonton after he accepted a job with EPS and eventually joined the hate crimes unit. Claire Woodall found work at a local radio station. The couple has two young boys.
Your generous outpouring of love for myself and my boys fills my heart.. He is my hero,our boys’hero &Edmonton’s newest hero. #EPSstrong
— Claire (@NumberGenie) June 9, 2015
Before learning that her husband was the officer killed last night, Woodall shared her concerns with her followers on Twitter.
@maria_249 @iNews880 Haven’t heard anything so here’s hoping my cop isn’t there! #policewife #nerves #family #love #prayer #positivevibes
— Claire (@NumberGenie) June 9, 2015
Those who knew Woodall paint a picture of a nice guy who loved life in Canada and in Edmonton.
Maurice Brodeur, Edmonton Police Association president, said Woodall had taken up hunting and was a “happy-go-lucky fella with a smile on his face.”
By happenstance, Brodeur said he ran into Woodall just a few days ago, a chance run-in that he’s now reflecting on.
“We had a laugh, and a joke and to suddenly find him gone, it’s too much to comprehend.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” he said, his voice breaking.
Partner ‘completely shook up’
Sgt. Jason Harley, 38, was shot in the back and has since been released from hospital.
Brodeur said Harley is “completely shook up.”
“He’s just overcome by guilt and anger over the whole situation, guilt that somehow he could have done something to help,” he said.
Brodeur said he wanted to send a message to the citizens of Edmonton.
“We’re your protectors. I you could do this favour for my members, the men and the women, if you could embrace them with all you got. It’s a tough job, and they need that support.”
On Tuesday morning the Greater Manchester Police released a statement saying: “No matter where police officers serve, the dangers of policing are a day to day reality for officers. The thinning blue line is the very veneer that holds society together, by protecting victims and deterring offenders. Sadly, Daniel has paid the ultimate price in the service of his community.”
Details surrounding Const. Woodall’s funeral have yet to be determined.
