‘A hero in life’: Remembering Cst. Davidson, one year after he was killed in the line of duty

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – Police around the Lower Mainland are marking a sombre anniversary.

It was exactly a year ago that Abbotsford Police Constable John Davidson was killed in the line of duty, while responding to a call about a stolen truck.

He was shot and seriously injured when he and several officers confronted the suspect near the Automall.

Davidson was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived.

“It’s certainly been a tough year, but it’s been a journey for us,” APD Chief Mike Serr tells NEWS 1130. “Along the journey we’ve learned a lot about ourselves as a department, but we also learned we were not alone.”

Thousands of first responders joined the APD, family, friends, and members of the public to honour Davidson on a rainy day in Abbotsford, more than a week after he was killed.

Former Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich with Cst. John Davidson’s family at his memorial service on Nov. 19 2017 (Courtesy Twitter @AbbyPoliceDept)

Serr says the support has been there throughout, not just in the days following Davidson’s death.

“I could not be prouder to be a police officer. The support we have received from our brothers and sisters, not only across this province but Canada, is just unbelievable.”

He says when Davidson was shot, police departments from all over the Lower Mainland were showing up “within minutes” to show their support.

“Telling us to take care of ourselves, and they policed our police department for those first days. The day of John’s service, this city was completely policed by members from other police departments so we could honour John.”

And that support has extended to this very day, he adds, showing just how important the bond is between those in uniform.

Davidson has been described as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to protect the community.

He is also remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

While November 6th will always mark a tragic day, Serr says it will also always be a day to remember the contributions Davidson has made, and “John as a hero of life.”

“Denise Davidson shared with me some of the many emails that were sent to [the family] and they talked about the impact that John had on the lives of youth. So I want people to also remember that. To remember what John did.”

“Although it’s a day of sadness for us, it’s also a day of remembering the commitment that John made and just what a difference that was for this community.”

Born in Scotland, Davidson began his career with Northumbria Police in the northeastern United Kingdom in 1993. He and his family moved to Canada in 2006, where he joined the Abbotsford Police Department, with whom he would spend 11 years.

The Abbotsford Police Department will be remembering Davidson during a private ceremony, along with his family.

Serr says a plaque will be placed on the Wall of Heros in Davidson’s honour. The APD is also selling t-shirts that feature Davidson’s Abbotsford and Northumbria Police badge numbers on them in his honour. You can find them online or at the APD headquarter’s front counter. 

The man accused of killing Davidson is expected to go on trial next January.

-With files from Sonia Aslam, Ellen Coulter